When I was in the simulator the other day...OK, OK...it was a walk in freezer that our cafeteria ladies so graciously let me hang out in...anyhow, they posed a question that I promised to provide an answer to. "What's the temperature around the fans up top?" I knew that if I could get a wind speed reading I would be able to answer their question, and thanks to our Earth Science department I was able to secure an anemometer. (I just LOVE saying that word...anemometer! What a fun word! How can you say it and not smile a little?)
Hammer hat on and testing the anemometer
Once I made sure the anemometer was on and working properly, it was time to see how fast the "winds" were...with my trusty Hammer hat on, of course. I have very sensitive ears.
Getting wind speed readings to determine the wind chill near the fans
I took readings from 6-12 inches away from the fan and found the speed to be approximately 14-15 mph. Once back to my room, I pulled up a wind chill chart. Air temperature of the freezer + 14-15 mph "winds" = -39 F!! Yes...thirty nine degrees below zero!!! Brain Teaser Time--Knowing what you know, who can tell me what the air temperature of the freezer was at that particular time? As you can see, Pam and Michele were thrilled to FINALLY have the answer to that nagging question. Don't they look happy?
These two women graciously gave of their time to answer my 50 million questions.
In all seriousness, there were many things that struck me about my time spent in the cafeteria. First and foremost, if you think for one second that anyone can step in and do what these women and men do, you are sorely mistaken. I learned so much from my short time visiting with them and was amazed at how much goes on behind the scenes with minimal staff to keep every single cafeteria in the district running smoothly and supplied with food. I didn't know that 10 individuals worked in our East High cafeteria and that three of these women were responsible for providing food--that is mostly prepared at East--to all other kitchens in the district. And, on top of that, they're still responsible for making sure all meals are properly prepared and ready to go at East. I didn't know that when gravy is part of a meal that it is prepared-FROM SCRATCH- from the drippings from numerous roasted turkeys. If, like me, you thought that huge cans of meat sauce or gravy were opened and emptied into vats to be heated, you're wrong. The vast majority of food served in the Corning-Painted Post School District is prepared from scratch...by hand.
Michele showing us one of the vats used in making 50 gallons of meat sauce.
If your cafeteria runs smoothly, be thankful that you have such a tremendous staff making it happen. Believe me, you have NO idea what goes on to make that happen. We all just take it for granted. These people are*** invaluable***, and my hat is off to them! As a matter of fact, when school starts, thank them and tell them how much you appreciate all they do!