About nuCuisine
Community
nuCuisine is committed to providing a dining program that supports the Northwestern, Evanston and surrounding communities. Learn more about our initiatives below.
- In August, 2012, Marsha Dawkins and Theresa Laurenz taught a class about nutrition on a budget at the Heathers House, a home for expectant mothers who are financially disadvantaged.
- On September 7, 2012, Mark Weiner conducted a class presentation for Wilmette Girl Scouts on healthy eating and how to make it fun.
- During Wildcat Welcome Week, we provided bagged lunches for the students’ Day of Service. Our donation was $7,200.
- In October, Vasilios Kaiteris conducted a cooking demonstration for RexPlex in Mount Prospect for kids from ages 12-16. He showed them how to cook a chicken breast on a BBQ and how to light up a BBQ.
- On October 23, we partnered with the Alumni Association to support the Wildcat Homecoming Tailgate by serving chili and drinks to students in the parking lot of Sargent. Our donation was $3,000.
- On October 24, Brian Wagner supported the International Association of Chiefs of Police event at the Museum of Science and Industry for 7,000 attendees.
- On December 5, John Krickl, Brian Wagner, Javier Romero, Marsha Dawkins and Tom Rubeo helped support the Honors Initiative at Fisher House Hines V.A. Christmas Dinner for Families of the Troops.
- On December 7, we hosted a community dinner at Foster Walker East for those in need in the Evanston area. We worked with LIFT Evanston, YWCA Evanston/North Shore, Interfaith Faith Action of Evanston, Hillside Pantry and Mary Lou’s Place Women’s Shelter to invite those in need.
- On January 28, Brian Wagner supported the Black Creativity Gala at the Museum of Science and Industry.
- On January 31, Mark Weiner taught a cooking class at Englehart Hall. Mark prepared a three course meal and handed out recipes.
- We have partnered and advised the student board from the Wild Roots Garden on viable crop selection for the upcoming growing season.
- On February 9, Brian Wagner and Theresa Laurenz supported the Skokie School District 73.5 Fitness Fair as part of Chefs in the Classroom. Students and parents enjoyed a make your own healthy parfait station.
- On February 13, Brian Wagner and Theresa Laurenz taught a class on Mindful Eating for Body Image Awareness Week at Norris. Brian demonstrated how to make a healthy meal while Theresa spoke about emotional eating.
- On February 23, Marsha Dawkins assisted with the Perspectives 1st Annual Culinary Throw Down and won first place!
- In March, Grace and Marsha of Allison Dining Hall teamed up with Campus Kitchens to provide nutrition education and a cooking demonstration for Family Focus here in Evanston this past March. There was 15 parents and 30 children (3rd - 6th grade) that attended this event. Grace and Marsha provided a cooking demonstration on how to make tortilla pizzas using inexpensive food items that parents would have in their pantry!
- Uwe Wilshusen is partnering with the Evanston Township High School for assistance and instruction in culinary classes.
- John Krickl donated his stipend from his Mini Courses to Dance Marathon, Wild Roots Garden and Campus Kitchens.
- John Krickl has donated plants and seedlings to the Wild Roots Garden.
- Steve Mangan joined the LIFT Chicago Advisory Board and is supporting Northwestern’s student commitment to the Evanston chapter.
Campus Kitchens
The Campus Kitchens, started in 2003, is fueled by the energy of student volunteers. Volunteers are trained in proper food safety and sanitation, and then work in the kitchen, deliver meals, develop menus, and learn socially-responsible leadership skills. Campus Kitchens take the unused portions of food from our resident dining and retail locations to create meals for those in need in the Evanston community. nuCuisine helps support the Campus Kitchens program by providing kitchen space and equipment, office space, training for their volunteers and the necessary funding to keep their operations running.
Upcoming Event! On April 17th, Executive Chef John Krickl and campus dietitian, Theresa Laurenz, will be providing a cooking demonstration and talking to parents about making healthy meal choices!
Community Based Organizations
In 2009, nuCuisine started working with Connections, Workforce Employer Resource Collaborative and a number of other representatives from non-profit community based organizations to hire potential employees. So far nuCuisine was able to hire about 130 hourly employees who were all brought to us from various community based organizations. The following community based organizations participated in our hiring initiatives:
- The Alternative Schools Network
- CARES Chicago
- Easter Seals
- La Casa Norte
- The Inspiration Corporation
- The Enterprising Kitchen
- Mercy Housing Lakefront
- Chicago House
- Instituto del Progreso Latino
- Jewish Vocational Service
- The Heartland Alliance
- Growing Home
- Bethel New Life
- Catholic Charities
- Interfaith
- HaborQuest
Heartland Alliance
Heartland Alliance advances the human rights and responds to the human needs of endangered populations – particularly the poor, the isolated and the displaced – through the provision of comprehensive and respectful services and the promotion of permanent solutions leading to a more just global society.
nuCuisine works very closely with Heartland Alliance and has hired many individuals represented by Heartland Alliance. nuCuisine gives these individuals the training needed to succeed in their position with an opportunity to get promoted.
Put Illinois to Work
The Put Illinois to Work program was launch April 2010 by the State of Illinois as a job skills training program in an effort to create on the job learning opportunities for unemployed or underemployed individuals from the local communities. Heartland Alliance approached nuCuisine to participate in the program. nuCuisine embraced the opportunity and was sent 20 individuals (mostly with a refugee background) to work at various nuCuisine locations. The program was a success. nuCuisine was able to hire 13 of the trainees as full time employees at the beginning of fall 2010.
English as a Second Language
The ESL (English as a Second Language) program was developed with the help of Heartland Alliance as a pilot program for their organization. Heartland Alliance received a grant to develop an ESL program that specifically focuses on English language skills in the Hospitality and Foodservice environment. The program is 6 weeks long and is available to any nuCuisine team members free of charge.
Additional Programs
Chinese American Service League
On July 22, 2010 a team from nuCuisine gave presentations to the Chinese American Service League’s (CASL) Culinary Program. CASL is the largest and most comprehensive social service agency in the Midwest dedicated to serving the needs of Chinese Americans. The students were interested in learning more about the various positions that are available and being able to participate in mock interviews.
Jumpstart Read for the Record
Jumpstart’s Read for the Record Campaign brings together children and adults in schools, libraries, event centers and homes across the United States – each with a goal to help set a new world record for the most people reading the same book on the same day.
