Volunteering at Just Food
Cider-Braised Pork Shoulder from Monument Lane
After completing my internship at Just Food, I continue to volunteer at their major events
Pictured to the left is the Let Us Eat Local tasting benefit, a Just Food Fundraiser where over 40 of New York City's most celebrated chefs share their creations. At this event, I assisted with checking in over 300 participants. During service, I also worked closely with five teams of chefs.
Pictured below is the Local Produce Link End of Season Celebration. I arranged and served catering and assisted with guest check-in. As a Just Food representative, I met with farmers who operate across the Tri-state area.
Volunteering at CUMAC
CUMAC is a small, non-profit organization located in Paterson, NJ that regularly feeds over 3,000 low-income people a month.
As I volunteer, I fill whatever role is needed: bagging food items, collecting plastic bags, or setting up and breaking down events. By working directly with CUMAC’s volunteer coordinator, I have gained an in-depth understanding of how food pantries operate.
Group picture at CUMAC Food Pantry. I am on the far left!
The 2016 International Chocolate Awards
Judging
Half of my time was spent as a Judge and representative of Montclair State University. Mentored on-site by the founder Martin Christy and restaurateur Maricel Presilla, I judged the chocolates by taste, smell, texture, and many other critical factors. I encountered and began to appreciate a new facet of chocolate and chocolate making.
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Chocolate Preparation
After completing my duties as judge, I was switched to chocolate preparation and distribution. Collaborating with my fellow volunteers, I communicated chocolate orders, portioned and served chocolates in a timely manner, and ensured that all judges were served the correct chocolates within the designated time intervals. Always with responsive, professional customer service, I provided the judges with light snacks and refreshments.
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Award Ceremony
As a student volunteer and, again, a representative of Montclair State University, I attended the Winners Announcement and Ceremony. At the ceremony, I was chosen to present Pacari chocolate with their awards.
The fifth annual International Chocolate Awards - Americas and Asia-Pacific division was hosted at Montclair State University.
Volunteering is like giving your heart to people.
I get to see the world through their eyes.
In 2016, I was a judge and food service volunteer at the International Chocolate Awards.
After completing my Internship, I continue to volunteer with Just Food.
Throughout the years, I help out at a local food pantry, CUMAC.
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