Always beaming, while peering our through her glasses Refilwe Mpshe proudly claims “I have survived a year of res food, although there has been a few dodgy moments!” Coming from the restaurant laden Jo’berg to the little nook of ‘G’town’ where the air is heavy with the smell of oil or burnt veggies has “been quite something,” remarks Refilwe, “with the hectic fees that we pay, res food is just not up to standard.”
Refilwe came to Rhodes used to communal eating having worked on her gap year for a Healing and Deliverance organization in England. Joining the young people’s team she helped in many of the day to day chores, including working in the kitchen. Because the organization catered internationally the meal had to suit every person partaking likes, dislikes, religious beliefs and traditional customs. Being sent on specific courses Refilwe humbly admits that she knows “more than most people.”
Because Refilwe believes she can make a difference is one of the reasons she is running for Residence Food Rep. She believes that although there are eight varieties one can pick from for a meal, a fundamental component is left out - that of a light meal. Instead of two heavy meals a day Refilwe admits that in her opinion this is an overload. “Salads are the answer,” she grins before continuing “a variety of colour is also essential!” “This option is also viable in its practicality” according to Refilwe in that it saves money.
Similarly Refilwe sees herself as the perfect channel between the students and the kitchen staff. “We, as the students are always complaining amongst ourselves yet how do the kitchen staff know in what aspects they can improve?” she questioningly asked, raising her eyebrows, “the kitchen staff can and will only improve with feedback!”
Refilwe went on to explain about her lowest moment, her worst meal, and her most disgusting experience. That of having her friend finding a congealed mass in her chicken. When dissecting her own meal, Refilwe found that she also had the slimy amalgamation. “We still do not know what it was” she hesitantly added “I was put off res food for life, but my student budget doesn’t allow for that!” After a week of eating out, Refilwe’s pocket was empty forcing her to pluck up courage to return to the hall dining room.
This has not been the only time that Refilwe has got more than she had bargained for. Who knows what goes into res food, but I do not call finger nails (I’m assuming it wasn’t a toe nail) an essential ingredient in any recipe. Following in this line of thought, I have yet to meet a person who thinks that hair is delicious, loves the taste of sand and mince and thinks that a mixture of peas and stink bugs are a delectable canapé.
Refilwe’s advice to all first years is to eat blindfolded! Having thought of the impracticality of this she recommends that one should discover your choice menu in ‘O Week’ as you are still wealthy enough to go down the road for Nandoes. She also cautions first years that there is no luminous yellow trade mark of the M in Grahamstown.
Personally Refilwe is a McDonald’s fan. She jokes that the Big Mac Burger gives her reason to live. This is naturally her first stop when returning home for vac!
Being in res prohibits Refilwe from her hobby of baking. She has inherited both of her parents cooking genes. Her father makes her favorite meal of Pap Le Sebcti, yet this is only done when his sisters come and visit, making her want to extend an invitation to them daily. Refilwe’s mother provides the family with daily sustenance – her trade mark being her amazing sweet potatoes.
Who better to have than a food rep who loves setting the table and watching people eat while their enjoyment lights up their face and who lives by the motto that we should “not eat to live, but to live to eat!”
Refilwe came to Rhodes used to communal eating having worked on her gap year for a Healing and Deliverance organization in England. Joining the young people’s team she helped in many of the day to day chores, including working in the kitchen. Because the organization catered internationally the meal had to suit every person partaking likes, dislikes, religious beliefs and traditional customs. Being sent on specific courses Refilwe humbly admits that she knows “more than most people.”
Because Refilwe believes she can make a difference is one of the reasons she is running for Residence Food Rep. She believes that although there are eight varieties one can pick from for a meal, a fundamental component is left out - that of a light meal. Instead of two heavy meals a day Refilwe admits that in her opinion this is an overload. “Salads are the answer,” she grins before continuing “a variety of colour is also essential!” “This option is also viable in its practicality” according to Refilwe in that it saves money.
Similarly Refilwe sees herself as the perfect channel between the students and the kitchen staff. “We, as the students are always complaining amongst ourselves yet how do the kitchen staff know in what aspects they can improve?” she questioningly asked, raising her eyebrows, “the kitchen staff can and will only improve with feedback!”
Refilwe went on to explain about her lowest moment, her worst meal, and her most disgusting experience. That of having her friend finding a congealed mass in her chicken. When dissecting her own meal, Refilwe found that she also had the slimy amalgamation. “We still do not know what it was” she hesitantly added “I was put off res food for life, but my student budget doesn’t allow for that!” After a week of eating out, Refilwe’s pocket was empty forcing her to pluck up courage to return to the hall dining room.
This has not been the only time that Refilwe has got more than she had bargained for. Who knows what goes into res food, but I do not call finger nails (I’m assuming it wasn’t a toe nail) an essential ingredient in any recipe. Following in this line of thought, I have yet to meet a person who thinks that hair is delicious, loves the taste of sand and mince and thinks that a mixture of peas and stink bugs are a delectable canapé.
Refilwe’s advice to all first years is to eat blindfolded! Having thought of the impracticality of this she recommends that one should discover your choice menu in ‘O Week’ as you are still wealthy enough to go down the road for Nandoes. She also cautions first years that there is no luminous yellow trade mark of the M in Grahamstown.
Personally Refilwe is a McDonald’s fan. She jokes that the Big Mac Burger gives her reason to live. This is naturally her first stop when returning home for vac!
Being in res prohibits Refilwe from her hobby of baking. She has inherited both of her parents cooking genes. Her father makes her favorite meal of Pap Le Sebcti, yet this is only done when his sisters come and visit, making her want to extend an invitation to them daily. Refilwe’s mother provides the family with daily sustenance – her trade mark being her amazing sweet potatoes.
Who better to have than a food rep who loves setting the table and watching people eat while their enjoyment lights up their face and who lives by the motto that we should “not eat to live, but to live to eat!”
1 comment:
Ha ha, hope the food changes!
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