By Autumn Parr
Before most students roll out of bed, the staff at Tech Table is already at work, preparing to feed the Louisiana Tech campus. Serving nearly 12,000 students may seem daunting, but the cafeteria staff handles it with grace. These unsung campus heroes juggle countless responsibilities, and while their efforts often go unnoticed, Louisiana Tech would not be the same without them.
Jessy Tucker, lead utility for the dish room, plays a crucial role in keeping the cafeteria running smoothly.
“I double-check the guys in the front of the house to the back of the house. I make sure the tables and utensils are properly wiped down,” Tucker said.
When talking about their daily responsibilities, the staff describe the job as having many components, ranging from preparing ingredients to cleaning dishes.
First, the staff must check inventory, ensure all ingredients are fresh, prepare their stations, clean, prep the food and then get ready for opening.
The cafeteria staff also spoke about the challenges that they have encountered with the job. Johnny Wincer, who has been steadfastly serving the campus for over 56 years, said, “Some days, some people may not be up for it, but as a team, we get it done.”
Another staff member, Kattie Witherspoon, a residential dining manager who has been with Aramark at Louisiana Tech for 14 years, discussed the challenges she faces at campus.
“A lot of people just look at us as a cafeteria. We do some pretty intricate recipes, and I think we serve a lot of good food,” said Witherspoon.
The cafeteria staff has also witnessed and made countless memories with the staff.
Tucker said, “The people, the different attitudes, and you know you can see someone having a bad day when they come in, and they see you, and that changes.”
Tucker also expressed his love for the diversity on campus adding, “You meet different people all around the world.”
One of Witherspoon’s favorite aspects of the job is watching students grow throughout their time at Tech.
“The students — just seeing them as freshmen and then to their senior year, and as they spend their time here, we get to see them move on to their next chapter,” Witherspoon said.
She also highlighted the importance of the cafeteria as a space for students to unwind.
She said, “It’s their one place that they can just relax.”
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