Every school day, while students settle into their morning routines, a dedicated team is already hard at work in the cafeteria, transforming fresh ingredients into the nutritious meals that fuel our students' learning.

Our lunch program is powered by three passionate professionals who have turned meal preparation into an art form. With a combined 42 years of experience, they've created something special: a cafeteria where healthy eating meets genuine care.

Breakfast is always a hit at Mast Way.

Leading the kitchen is our Kitchen Manager, Karen April, now in her second year, who oversees the cooking of all main meals and manages food ordering. When she's not creating delicious lunches, she can be found on the slopes snowboarding or enjoying live concerts.

Working alongside her is a 24-year veteran lunch engineer, Joan Landry, who specializes in preparing alternate lunches and keeping the kitchen spotless. An early riser at heart, she loves baking in the quiet morning hours before the school day begins.

Rounding out the team is a 17-year lunch engineer, Deb Rines, who expertly prepares fresh fruits and vegetables for the salad bar, prepares teacher lunches, and greets everyone with a smile at the register. Outside of school, she's a theater enthusiast who loves catching Broadway shows in New York.

The team recently celebrated a new addition to their kitchen: a food processor that has opened up exciting possibilities. They're now making homemade hummus, providing another wholesome vegetarian option for students seeking meat-free meals.

"The most important aspect of our job is obviously providing a clean, safe, healthy lunch and lunch area for each child," Karen explains. "We take the greatest pride in providing the tastiest and most visually appealing lunches."

But it's not just about the food. "Our favorite part of the job is getting to interact with the kids," Karen shares warmly. "They always have something funny to say. We love the waves and the 'thank you for the good food' comments."

Kindergarten's lunch is full of fun!

Despite being a relatively new team—working together for just two years—they've developed an impressive synchronicity. "We also really love working with each other," they note. "Even after just two years together, we work as a well-oiled machine."

The next time you see a smile in the cafeteria or hear a student say thank you for a delicious meal, you'll know it comes from a team that truly cares about nourishing both bodies and spirits.