The Most Delectable Post To date — Food in the Cafeteria and Tables in the Dining Room

Behind the Deck (left to right): Mary Grace, Samantha, Solana, Paul Melchy, Kima, Jesus and Kevin in the Back

Scrambled Eggs, Tater Tots, Croissants, Oatmeal and Rice

As I made my rounds today (July 6, 2021), I decided to stop by the cafeteria and the dining room before exiting the building. As I made my way down the Grand Hallway toward the dining room, the fire alarm began to sound. Campus Security and an electrician made their way into the dining room and headed toward the back toward the prep kitchen. From their body language, I deduced that it was a false alarm Looking around, I noticed someone opening cupboard doors, and making notes on a checklist. Another person came from the back and then another. They were chatting and laughing as they moved behind one of the stations. I learned that the workers were Loma Linda University Health Nutritional Services employees and they learning the ends and outs of the new Cafeteria. As I headed toward the kitchen area, I stopped to take a photo of the Pizza Station where Pizzas will be made to order. From the Pizza Station, I stepped into the kitchen prep area, and to my surprise, there was a package of Croissants. I began quizzing the two delightful ladies in the kitchen about the Croissants. Unfortunately, they didn’t offer me a sample. One of the ladies said, pointing toward the cafeteria, “There is food out there.” I followed her out of the kitchen into the cafeteria to the Grill / Hot Deck / Rice and Noodle Station where there was some hot food on display. I could hardly believe it! In warming pans, there were scrambled eggs, tater tots, croissants, oatmeal, and rice. Where were the plates and eating utensils? A cook soon brought from the kitchen a pan of mashed potatoes and a container of roasted red pepper Gouda. As I chatted with the staff, I learned (as I understood it) they were doing a time/temperature study. In layman’s terms, they were testing the temperature from the lights above, and the circulating water in the pipes under the containers/pans. Like a large chafing set, they were regulating the temperatures to determine the right balance to keep the food warm without it drying out. The goal is to keep the food at the perfect temperature and ready to eat. In addition, the staff was getting acquainted with all of the new equipment and making lists of items they would need.

The Cafeteria and Prep Kitchen

And on the Second Day, the Aroma of Food Wafted Around the Cafeteria

Four Stations That Will Quell One’s Hunger and One Station That Will Quench One’s Thirst

Grill / Hot Deck / Rice & Noodle Station

Grab and Go Station

Blended Beverage Station

Sandwich Station

Pizza Station

The Dining Room

A Footnote to This Post

During the buildout phase of the project, I had noticed that large pocket doors were being installed in selected areas of the Medical Center and Children’s Hospital. Upon inquiring, I learned that the doors were a fireguard by Won-door. These doors have an accordion/pocket door feature that will close when smoke detectors or fire alarms are triggered. When the fire alarm went off while I was on my way to the Cafeteria, I was able to observe the door close.