Volunteer Service Award Recipient Named
Joni DeNeef, winner of the 2011 Creative Dining Services' Volunteer Service Award, along with her manager, Stephanie Zdun, of Cook Servery at Hope College in Holland, Michigan.
For nearly a decade now, Creative Dining Services has been recognizing team members who make a difference through their volunteer service. The recipient of this year’s Creative Dining Volunteer Service Award is Joni DeNeef from Cook Dining Hall at Hope College in Holland, Michigan. Joni has done extensive volunteer work – providing over 1,000 volunteer hours to many worthy causes. Her volunteer activities include:
- Open Doors for International Friendship in Christ, an exchange program throughMeijiGakuinHigashimurayamaHigh SchoolinTokyo,Japan(1999 – Present). Joni’s family has had the privilege of sharing Christ’s love with 9 Japanese girls since 1999. They have hosted these girls one at a time during the summer for 4 ½ weeks.
- PTO Treasurer and Secretary atSandyviewElementary School(1999-2005).
- Parent Volunteer at Hamilton Middle and High School (Aug. 1995 – Present).
- High School Youth Group Leader (August 2006 – Present). Joni attends monthly leaders’ meetings, weekly youth group meetings, overnight retreats, summer mission trips, summer day activities, and is a mentor.
- Cub Scout Leader (August 2007 – present). Joni participates in monthly leaders’ meetings and pack meetings as well as den meetings twice per month. She arranged all of the pack activities for the past two years and is doing so again this year. She is the Assistant Popcorn Kernel and has quadrupled sales since she started helping out two years ago. Her son alone had over $3,000 in sales last year! She has been on various committees for projects like the Pinewood Derby and has attended Cub Scout Camp atCampGerber.
As a youth group leader, Joni has gone on numerous mission trips to a variety of places, including:
- South Africa (2005) working at an orphanage in Cape Town, where they painted the whole interior, repaired plumbing and electrical systems, purchased a hot water heater, painted and repaired playground equipment, showed the children how to use chalk, gave them toys and traveled to Umtata to work with the locals.
- VestVirginia(2007) working at a kids’ camp inCharlestonfor one week.
- New York City(2008) working at an inner-city church to prepare for a summer Bible camp called TASC (Taking a Stand for Christ). The kitchen was so overrun with bugs that they were told to turn the lights on for a while before going into the kitchen so the bugs would scurry away!
- South Dakota(2009) working at a juvenile detention center on the Rosebud Indian Reservation.
- Alaska(2011) working at Sutton Alaska Eagle Crest Ministries. The group did various outreach ministries for the community. Joni did such a tremendous job that the director of the camp asked if she could stay for the rest of the summer! She would have loved to, but she had to get back to her 10-year-old son at home. The director would like her to return next summer and has offered her a position. It is unpaid and as a family they are praying for God’s guidance in this matter. She would love to do it!
When asked about her volunteer efforts, Joni stated “God tells us to go out into the world and share His word with others. We feel that by opening our hearts and home, we can show Christ’s love and the love that we have for Him.”
Congratulations, Joni, and a huge thank-you for all the work you do in the community! CDS is proud to have you as an employee!
Creative Dining featured in On Campus Hospitality Magazine’s Sustainability Issue
Creative Dining Services is featured in this month’s edition of On Campus Hospitality magazine. This is OCH’s annual sustainability issue and two of our accounts were heavily featured in an article about healthy, sustainable choices for on-the-go dining. Of course, we think you should read the magazine cover to cover, especially the five areas where Creative Dining is mentioned. We’ll have more in the coming days about sustainability and GrowTM, our sustainability program. In the meantime, check us out on Facebook, or go to our GrowTM website: www.growingforthegood.com.
Being Creative
One of Creative Dining’s very own Food Services Directors, Rick Balfour with CalvinCollegewas featured on the front page of the magazine, FoodService Director. You can read about a tip that Rick suggested on page 28 of the magazine or check out other tips he submitted by clicking this link: http://www.fsdmag.com/search.html?ordering=&searchphrase=all&searchword=Rick+Balfour
Rick sets a great example of thinking “outside of the box”. If you ever have creative idea that has worked well for you – feel free to share the idea with reports@creativedining.com and we’ll post it to the CDS blog, Facebook, etc.
Inquiring Minds – Interview #7
Creative Dining Services’ Inquiring Minds interviewed Kristeen Vander Wall, Receptionist and Office Assistant at Creative Dining Services home office. Here’s what we learned about:
[Creative Dining Services’ Inquiring Minds]: So, you are the Receptionist at Creative Dining Services. What is your favorite part of your job?
[Kristeen Vander Wall]: Since my start in June, I’ve been enjoying the fun (sometimes feisty) environment and being able to help the staff with various tasks.
[CDSIM]: Our readers would like to know: what is your favorite cuisine?
[KV]: Well, what goes with Mountain Dew? On a more practical level: anything Italian. For my birthday, my husband prepared me a wonderful and delicious dish of spaghetti. It was amazing!
[CDSIM]: If I take a look inside your refrigerator what would I find?
[KV]: Hmmm, depends on what is on sale that week. The must haves are: milk, eggs, cheese and Mountain Dew.
[CDSIM]: If you could vacation anywhere in the world, where would you go?
[KV]: Throughout my schooling, I took 5 years of French and I minored in Greek so, I would love to travel somewhere that I could put those languages to use. Paris? Greece? Yes please!
[CDSIM]: And finally, how will you handle your new-found fame once this interview is published on the Creative Dining Blog?
[KV]: Let’s just say, I will autograph anything you’d like, but it’s going to cost you!
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Seeing that we are a culinarily-focused company, Kristeen has agreed to share her recipe for Guilt Free Spinach Dip. Here’s what she has to say about it:
“We all know that holidays are a good time for packing on the pounds. All the delicious goodies and treats that are readily available for the taking at family gatherings and get-togethers, who can resist? This past Independence Day I did a pretty nice job of turning down the extras – I felt satisfied after the long holiday weekend. However, the week following, my husband’s family and I went camping up north to Mackinaw City. This meant a deadly combination: Mackinac Island Fudge and Happy Hour. You see, our family has a long running camping tradition that every day from 4 to 6 we bust out the snacks and treats, then we sit back and indulge. It’s a great tradition. Those couple hours are heavenly. Much to my surprise, we mostly ate healthy (besides my contribution of white-chocolate covered peanut butter balls). My favorite recipe of the week was the Guilt-free Greek Spinach Dip. Try out this delicious and easy recipe if you are looking for a great dish to pass at a party or just needing something to nibble on. You won’t regret it!”
Guilt-free Greek Spinach Dip
Makes 4 Cups
Prep Time: 10 Minutes
Chill Time: 2 Hours (for best taste)
Ingredients:
1 Dried vegetable soup mix
1 Container (16 oz) nonfat Greek yogurt
1 Cup low-fat mayonnaise
¼ Cup diced red onion
1 package (10 oz) frozen spinach, thawed and squeezed dry
1/3 Cup thinly sliced green onions
Directions:
1. In a medium bowl, combine vegetable mix, yogurt and mayonnaise until smooth. Seed and dice tomatoes.
2. Gently stir in tomatoes, red onion and green onions into yogurt mixture.
3. Cover and chill for 2 (or more) hours. Serve with sliced veggies of your choosing, or my personal favorite: Pretzels or Pecan Nut Thins.
4. Indulge, I mean, Enjoy!
Inquiring Minds Interviews – #6
Creative Dining Services’ Inquiring Minds interviewed Mona Scherf, Administrative Assistant at Judson University. Here’s what we learned about:
[Creative Dining Services’ Inquiring Minds]: So, you are the Administrative Assistant for Judson University Food Service. What is your favorite part of your job?
[Mona Scherf]: Definitely the flexibility of my hours of work in the office as well as the close-nit relationships with my fellow employees.
[CDSIM]: Our readers would like to know: what is your favorite cuisine?
[MS]: Anything someone else is cooking! I hate to cook, I prefer to bake desserts; but baking doesn’t feed the family properly! 
I know, it’s seems weird to work in a food service & not like to cook but I’m in the office!
[CDSIM]: If I take a look inside your refrigerator what would I find?
[MS]: Most importantly, MOUTAIN DEW, about 10 or 12 vanilla whipped yogurt containers (it’s about the only thing my 3 year old will eat), fixin’s for my 2nd grader’s lunch box, leftovers that no one will even think of touching, my homemade raspberry & grape jams, all of the standard condiments & typical butter, eggs, milk kind of stuff.
[CDSIM]: If you could vacation anywhere in the world, where would you go?
[MS]: Hmmm, I’m not really adventurous. I’d like to take the family I’d like to go to see the ocean & play on the beach.
[CDSIM]: And finally, how will you handle your new-found fame once this interview is published on the Creative Dining Blog?
[MS]: I will screen calls with my handy-dandy caller ID on my work phone!
Inquiring Minds Interviews – #5
Creative Dining Services’ Inquiring Minds interviewed Rose Marie Scheumann, Supervisor at IndianaTech. Here’s what we learned about her:
[Creative Dining Services' Inquiring Minds]: So, you are a Supervisor for IndianaTech. What is your favorite part of your job?
[Rose Marie Scheumann]: Not doing the same thing everyday
[CDSIM]: Our readers would like to know: what is your favorite cuisine?
[RS]: Chinese
[CDSIM]: If I take a look inside your refrigerator what would I find?
[RS]: Lots and lots of food for family, friends and neighbors.
[CDSIM]: If you could vacation anywhere in the world, where would you go?
[RS]: Arizona
[CDSIM]: And finally, how will you handle your new-found fame once this interview is published on the Creative Dining Blog?
[RS]: I will let you know when I am “famed”
Presidential Visit
Creative Dining Services’ own Kathleen Hoffman (left), Catering Manager at Judson University and Marga Seweryn, Food Service Director at Judson University with former President George W. Bush. President Bush was on campus to present during the inaugural World Leaders Forum, an annual event bringing world leaders to the Judson University campus every year to inspire leadership. Marga, Kathy and the Judson crew, with some help from area Creative Dining accounts, did a great job on the event.
Inquiring Minds Interviews – #4
Creative Dining Services’ Inquiring Minds interviewed Tori Wild, Food Service Manager for Chadron Public Schools. Here’s what we learned about:
[Creative Dining Services' Inquiring Minds]: So, you are a Food Service Manager for Chadron Public Schools. What is your favorite part of your job?
[Tori Wild]: I work a K-12 program so my favorite part of my job is getting to be around young kids, including my own everyday. Everyone loves to eat and we get the pleasure of making kids happy at meal time by providing them with food. They can always put a smile on my face.
[CDSIM]: Our readers would like to know: what is your favorite cuisine?
[TW]: I wouldn’t call it a cuisine but I could eat a Turkey & Cheese sandwich every day!
[CDSIM]: If I take a look inside your refrigerator what would I find?
[TW]: Turkey, cheese, yogurt, cottage cheese, grapefruit, pickles, summer sausage, strawberry frosting, orange juice, milk and a box of wine J
[CDSIM]: If you could vacation anywhere in the world, where would you go?
[TW]: Spain – My husbands’ family is from there and it sounds like an amazing place to see.
[CDSIM]: And finally, how will you handle your new-found fame once this interview is published on the Creative Dining Blog?
[TW]: After the thousands of photos and autographs I give, I’m going to Disneyland!
Dining at Davenport University
Soup’s on at Davenport University! And tacos, and lasagna, and pot roast, and grilled cheese, and pizza, and salad and… well, watch the video and find out!
Inquiring Minds Interviews – #3
Creative Dining Services’ Inquiring Minds interviewed Patrice Wright, Lead Cook at Trinity Christian College. Here’s what we learned about her:
[Creative Dining Services' Inquiring Minds]: So, you are a Lead Cook for Trinity Christian College. What is your favorite part of your job?
[Patrice Wright]: Preparing the food. (She also considered saying her boss… 
who assisted in conducting this interview) I like creating flavors with the different variety of spices. Creating, adding to the food, taking away and figuring out how the food will taste the best. Every day is a new adventure with the Creative Dining recipes. It’s fun to experiment with food and try new foods. It is interesting how the flavors work together like the hot and spicy with the sweet in the new Mexican Chili Corn Casserole.
[CDSIM]: Our readers would like to know: what is your favorite cuisine?
[PW]: Italian – I like to eat Italian food with all of the sauces – mmmm, oh yeah… ah huh… I’m getting hungry just thinking about it… but I like to cook Mexican food. The combination of flavors and textures make it so interesting to work with. There is such a wide range of fresh ingredients to get that authentic taste of Mexican cuisine. Maravillosa! ¡Delicioso!
[CDSIM]: If I take a look inside your refrigerator what would I find?
[PW]: The basics, milk, eggs, butter, sour cream, chicken, ground beef, fresh lemons, peppers… there used to be strawberry daiquiris and apple martinis… used to be, but no more… that was yesterday…
[CDSIM]: If you could vacation anywhere in the world, where would you go?
[PW]: Jamaica, the white sand… the sun… the vibe… I like the motto: “Don’t worry, Mon. Be Happy!!”
[CDSIM]: And finally, how will you handle your new-found fame once this interview is published on the Creative Dining Blog?
[PW]: Oh, I don’t know, hope I don’t get the big head… Ha-ha-ha! Being an instant celebrity, I’ve been waiting my whole life for this!