Meet Liz Varvaro, FHHS Kitchen Manager!

Interview conducted by Alex MacDonald and Tristan Wood on March 10, 2009

Today, we went to talk to Liz Varvaro, the kitchen manager at Friday Harbor High School to learn more about her job and the Experience Food Project. Upon walking into the friendly kitchen, Chef Andy paused from cutting cucumbers to give us a "What's up?" before sending us in Liz's direction. Liz came to greet us with a smile and cup of coffee in hand. With enthusiasm, she took time away from her busy day to sit down and answer our questions.

First we found out what exactly Liz does for the Experience Food Project (EFP). She is the kitchen manager, and as she puts it, is the liaison between the kitchen here at FHHS and the "satellite campuses" (FHES, Spring Street School, and Paidea). She manages staffing and logistics, as well as monitoring the profits and losses of the program. This includes how much food is eaten each day, how much each meal costs, and what the program can afford. Although she rarely actually cooks in the kitchen due to her jam-packed schedule, Liz said she also can fill in for any of the chefs, if it is needed.

We were interested in finding out more about how Liz got involved with the project. She told us she had been in the hospitality and food/beverage industry since high school. (Before the EFP, she was managing a restaurant in Seattle.) She wanted something different, and the EFP gave her that opportunity. She explained that working in the food industry is all about consumerism and making a profit. But Liz wanted to do something more beneficial for not only the consumers but the entire community and everyone involved. When she moved to the island two years ago, she liked the way the island focused on the importance of community. She began working at Market Chef, where she met Chef Andy and "all the foodies" and later, Chef Tom. That was the beginning of her journey with the Experience Food Project.

We then went on to ask Liz what her expectations were for the EFP. She told us she expected it to succeed, but she knew there would be hurdles to overcome. Liz wanted the program to focus on the people that eat the food, and allow the students and staff to connect with the kitchen and know that they were eating a great, healthy meal. She went on to explain that the program has been an overwhelming positive experience so far.

Liz says the EFP here on San Juan is a launching pad for other possible pilot programs around the state. There are some locations currently being discussed for future programs, but they haven't been revealed to the public yet. She says the island was a perfect place to start the EFP because the community here is very hands-on and supportive, and in return, expects a lot out of the program. Liz knows the EFP is making an impact and that "it is going to succeed." In general, Liz believes the future of the program is promising.

The last part of the interview was to find out more about the energetic and outgoing Liz Varvaro. Her favorite color is green, and she loves the way different shades of green work together. We asked her favorite food, and she quickly stated, "That's such a hard one!" (she is a chef after all). After thinking for quite a long time, she said she loves all red meat. Her favorite animal is a horse, her favorite season is fall, and her favorite drink is coffee. (We guarantee she is holding a cup of coffee right now as you are reading this!) She told us her favorite flower was a heliotrope, because it smells like Dr. Pepper. When she's not in the school kitchen, Liz loves to cook for her boyfriend, who she told us eats a lot :) Other hobbies you might find her doing are golf and frisbee golf, hiking, reading, and occasionally "nerding out on video games."

We really enjoyed chatting and getting to know Liz Varvaro. Every student that eats at FHHS sees her around, and now we all know how big of a role she plays in the delicious Experience Food Project.

P.S. Liz says check out www.experiencefoodproject.org for more information on the future of the program.