Rich poses in front of house made granola and oats. Photo courtesy of senior Juniper Patrick-Miernicki.
Here at San Luis Obispo High School we are very lucky to have not only amazing teachers, but support staff and faculty that are equally happy to be here. Expressions decided to highlight one kitchen staff in particular, breakfast connoisseur, mother of two, and trained pastry chef, Sarah Rich. This exclusive interview is a great way to get to know one of the faces we see every day on campus!
Expressions: What is your favorite part about working here at SLOHS?
Kitchen Staff Sarah Rich: Just cooking for everyone. I think I’m just more passionate about seeing everyone and getting to meet everyone. Feeding minds, not just their bodies, that’s my favorite part of the day.
Expressions: And what is your least favorite?
Rich: Asking kids to take a piece of fruit, and in turn being what I call ‘ugly’ about it. Our job is to ensure and uphold the standards of CDE and USDA guidelines. In order to run the program, everyone has to take a half cup of fruit, and I wish that people would know that we offer all these great things. All we are asking is to take a half cup of fruit, you don’t have to eat it, you can put it in the share box. There’s nothing preventing you from putting it in the share box. If students understood more about that, that would be good.
Expressions: What do you like to do outside of work?
Rich: I have two kids. My kids love to bake with me, and I am a trained pastry chef. So we just go home and bake on the weekend, we bake bread, cookies, pizza dough, muffins, whatever they want!
Expressions: What are some of your favorite dishes to make or eat?
Rich: I am a breakfast connoisseur, I love breakfast. If I’m going out to eat, it’s gotta be a good breakfast spot. Something I like is a 360 muffin, it’s a muffin that’s biscuit based and has sausage, chives, white cheddar, and a soft boiled egg in the center.
Expressions: Have you been watching anything good recently?
Rich: I’ve been watching “The Chosen” and “Mary”, shows about the life and story of Mary. Otherwise I just watch food shows, and if it’s not food shows I’m watching National Geographic
Expressions: Last question, what music or radio shows have you been listening to?
Rich: Country, I like Morgan Wallen.
The kitchen staff is working hard, and it is important to remember they have lives outside of SLO high! Make sure to give them a smile, wish them a good day, and just accept the fruit, Tigers.