Today was an unbelievable day at Camp Takajo. It was just one of those perfect camp days when temperatures reach the mid eighties, dew points were high, so you couldn’t help but feel the warmth of the Maine air as you walked around camp.
Specialty clinics were in full-swing, and campers were soaking up their last minutes with soccer professional Michael Turtle and lacrosse professional JoJo Marasco. I couldn’t help but think about some of the things that go on behind the scenes that most parents would not be aware of if they were not mentioned in a blog post, like our food service department.
We are blessed by having an amazing head chef, Mike G. DeBerry, who is surrounded by culinary experts that meet the dietary needs of every child and counselor in camp. Mike has created a “crave list.” Our campers are able to make requests for the meals they wish to see served in camp. Needless to say, Mike’s homemade pizza is a huge hit, but last night he made teriyaki, BBQ, and plain chicken wings that would rival any meal you would eat on Super Bowl Sunday.
Whether a child requires a gluten-free, kosher, or low cholesterol diet, Chef Mike and his team take the time to prepare amazing options for the entire camp community. At every breakfast, there are elaborate fruit bars along with a full complement of cold cereals, followed by delicious hot entrees, such as French toast, waffles, pancakes, and breakfast sandwiches.
At lunch, our boys love chickens fingers and quesadillas, but could always substitute their meal by going to the deli bar. At dinner, Chef Mike is known for delicious chicken and stir-fry dishes, but there is always a pasta bar available for those who want comfort food.
We put a lot of time and focus into our food service operation; after all, it is the only facility that our children visit three times a day, every day. Similar to many organizations, there are those that are unsung heroes who are critical to the success of the experience. Chef Mike and his staff fuel our bodies so that we can play and enjoy our day.
