Kitti is a familiar face around campus, and has been working at Taste Imperial for 9 years now. Her role as a Senior Supervisor across the Senior and Junior Common room looks after five outlets including the busiest restaurant of the College.
Kitti's Interview
The following testimonial was conducted between Ella Shephard (ES), our Assistant Catering and Events Operations Manager, and Kitti Szabados (KS), our Catering and Events Supervisor.
What food trends do you see taking off in the next 12 months?
KS: So as I am working in the Senior Common Room restaurant, I can see daily what people are eating for lunch. I can see that the salad bar, as it has fresh ingredients and gluten free/vegan options, even during winter time it’s flying. People tend to go for more healthy and fresh options, for example a Mediterranean diet is taking place as a lighter option.
What is your favourite food to eat?
KS: Lasagna.
ES: You had that locked and loaded!
KS: My mum had never done it. In my childhood, she always made bolognaise, so I always liked to eat lasagna when I went out or even at school. That was the first proper dish I learned how to bake, and whenever I go back to my country visiting my mum, we make it together. She asked me to teach her how to make it, it was a family thing.
What’s one thing you do that impacts customers that they might not know?
KS: The customers may not know that I took place in the TUCO Barista Skills competition last year. I took two prizes home to the college. I’m really passionate about coffees and good customer service, good quality of the coffee—this is what I’m working hard to spread this culture with my staff as well. I train and require them to give the best coffees each time.
What is your favourite thing about your job?
KS: I really like the fact that we can have an affect on people’s day and mood, giving good customer service, giving a smile, giving a good quality of coffee as I mentioned previously, to create an atmosphere where people like to coming to work and feel respected.