Summer Camp Food

August 8, 2006

I'm back from the wonderful world of nerd camp. And it was a lot more fun than any physical camp. What, canoeing? Horseback riding? Please, listening to a lecture about the French Revolution is way better than any of that. Aside from the fact that the speakers kept fizzing out at the dances, my biggest complaint would probably be the food.

I wasn't inedible mind you, we're not talking crimes against humanity, but there was plenty of room for improvement. There was, as the musical at the beginning of the talent show pointed out to us, "a potato on every plate'. Not that that's too terribly different from the rest of the country, but I like to be able to have choices when it comes to vegetables (because I'm picky). Also, most of the meat was fried with noodles, ground beef, or chicken. Okay so that's not that different either. But you know what, maybe I don't want what everyone else having. Blame Mom for that one.. But would you choose an entrée that clearly states on the menu board "contains pork" literally in quotations? I think not. Sometimes we got steak, and it wasn't half bad steak. But usually the menu plan was salad, burger and fries, and "something else." I was less than ecstatic.

Granted it's a college cafeteria and you can only expect so much- but it was not world class. There are certain unwritten and instinctual rules you obey that ensure a better and happier stay in the cafeteria. Don't look at it, don't ask what's in it, don't eat the seafood, and don't drink out of the tea cooler. Sometimes, the hash browns would be half or no potatoes, just a crunchy outside. And this is what the future leaders of the world are receiving??

This is a college cafeteria, meaning that this is the food for all those who were smart enough to get in, all those who are one day going to be the work force and decide what happens. You may think that feeding them isn't the biggest deal in the world. Well, in my opinion, it is. I don't want the soon to be corporate America to think Top Noodle is all you need. To be obese and endorse McDonalds because that's what they survived on. This is the food that is supplying them with what's going to get them through the rockiest time of their life! This is the future here, and I happen to think it's pretty important that the future be healthy. I'm not asking for Morimoto to come in, just a little more variety.

Fresh perhaps?

Name: Minerva, Goddess of geeks. Age: 14 Occupation: Writing food essays, going to school and driving Mom crazy. Hobbies: Collecting quotes, petting dogs, messing up my friend's hair and annoying my Mom. Life so far: Born. Made it through middle school alive. My Favs: Ice cream, my dog, .hack , 3rd period, the Daily Show, british humor. anime, the Discovery Channel and my iPod. My Minions: my dog, Duke, Phil the Wizard Monkey of Oz, Ed Elric and Patsy Stone.

Email questions or comments for these two young women to webmaster@drgourmet.com.