A Busy Week in Athens!

The first full week of work here at UGA was a busy one! Monday through Wednesday were spent working with the full time employees and student workers as we helped to serve breakfasts and lunches to over a 1000 campers, ran the dish room and worked in the kitchen producing hot entrees, desserts and salads. We split time between UGA's Bolton commons and Snelling commons in order to gain an understanding of how procedures are handled in different areas. In between all of that we got to sit down and meet with UGA Dinning Services' HR specialist, Dietary Specialists, Warehouse Managers, IT Manager, Assistant Director of Business Services, and the Executive Director of Dinning Services. We learned everything from how products are chosen and menus are pieced together, to how people are hired and fired from UGA Food Services, to how orders are placed, received and distributed at the warehouse, to how to motivate a staff to strive for bigger and better things year after year. It was quite the start to the week, but it was only the first 3 days!

Thursday and Friday were spent shadowing management. on Thursday I shadowed Ellie Hanson at Tate Cafe, which is one of UGA's retail outlets. I learned about what helps to set them apart from the dinning commons, like the ability to purchase items a la carte and to have made to order items along with grab and go items. They also operate under chains such as Larry's Subs and Barbritos. On Friday we shadowed Kirti Leatham a manager at the Snelling commons during the year, but helping out at Bolton for the summer. We learned a lot about how to motivate a staff, as well as how to keep staff members on task throughout down time. We discussed the qualities that make a good manager, like listening to employees and teaching them the proper ways to perform tasks rather than just scolding them for being wrong.

On Saturday we ventured to Atlanta with several other people from the commons to take in an Atlanta Braves game at Turner Field against the Texas Rangers. Sadly the weather turned sour within the first few innings and a 2 hour rain delay began in the 5th inning at which point we left the game and went for dinner in Atlanta where we were able to finish watching the game, which the Braves unfortunately lost 5-4 in 10 innings. I hope to make it back sometime for a full game.