I don’t know about other UT students, but when I walk into the cafeteria, I know it’s going to be a good lunch or at least a good day because I get to see Tony and Boris.
For those of you who don’t know Tony or Boris, you should. They are the most charismatic cooks in the cafe and they know just how to make my day better with their witty personalities and charm.
Now don’t let the aprons and hats fool you. These aren’t just your every-day-regular-kind-of-cooks. Tony, for instance, is cupid in disguise. While you’re in line waiting for your teriyaki steak stir-fry or egg-white, spinach and feta cheese omelet, Tony will keep you on your toes because you’ll never know when he’ll introduce you to the girl or guy behind you. He gets the conversation started and by the time your food is ready, you might just wind up with someone’s number or with a date that night or even a new friend.
I occasionally tease Tony and ask him if he has found me a boyfriend yet, and he genuinely says, “I’m still working on it – junior or senior, transfer student.” Those are the requirements because he says as a junior, I need someone new and freshmen are way too young. The fact that he remembers blows my mind, but that’s just the type of person he is – he actually cares about the students and gets to know them.
If you’re looking for entertainment while waiting for food instead of socializing, Boris is the way to go. Boris will crack jokes and even sing to you. Between his good humor and charisma, it’s not hard to laugh or even give him a smile when he flashes one of his. And as long as you have time to kill while hanging around for chicken or steak, he’ll make it worthwhile. One time Boris grabbed a plate of French fries and had me taste the different sauces he created since the chicken wouldn’t be ready for 12 minutes. I felt like some official taste tester as I dipped the fries into a sweet raspberry sauce and then into a tangy sesame one.
These two chefs are always full of surprises, but their good nature and enthusiasm is what brings me to the cafeteria more than any other dining station. They are definitely two of UT’s greatest assets.
Stef Crocco can be reached at stefcrocs@yahoo.com