Meet the Team
Executive Director, Culinary Services and Events
Years at SJU: 1 year
What you love most about your job: The passion, attention to detail and dedication amongst our team is second to none. I love the community feel of St. John’s, and leading the team that is the beating heart of this community is a special responsibility.
What you want people to know about dining at SJU: We’re more than burgers and fries! If you take the time to look, we have a great variety of options. Great salads, fresh fruit and veggies, homemade hummus, and global options too! We’re passionate about food and are working hard to continue to innovate new menu items!
Favorite Food at SJU: Green chile stew, Korean fried chicken sandwiches, bibimbap bowl. This list could certainly be longer!
Director of Events & Conferences, Culinary Services and Events
Years at SJU: I have been at Saint John’s for 25 years.
What you love most about your job: It is all about the people. In my role I work with many members of the campus community, administrative staff, support staff, monastic community members and students. As the key contact for groups coming to campus from outside Saint John’s, I handle the hospitality needs for groups who are here for, retreats, trainings, summer camps and conferences, wedding receptions and banquets. These relationships are what bring joy to my work.
What you want people to know about dining at SJU: Saint John’s dining is a place where all are welcome, guest, student, and dining team member.
Favorite food at SJU: I enjoy the wide variety of soups, something different every day, that our staff prepares.
Assistant Director of Events & Conferences, Culinary Services and Events
Years at SJU: 24
What you love most about your job: Getting to meet and work with a wide variety of people.
What you want people to know about dining at SJU: You won’t leave hungry, with all the options you’ll find something you like (and if not, you can always make a waffle).
Favorite food at SJU: The desserts
Business Manager, Culinary Services and Events
Years at SJU: Two Years
What you love most about your job: I love the ideology of “Community”. I love that we are a welcoming group of people who try not to ever say “No”, to anyone. One way or another we strive to be successful in all aspects of our jobs. Regardless of position, we all pitch in and get our hands dirty to make things happen and happen with the best possible outcome.
What you want people to know about dining at SJU: What I want people to know about dining at SJU is that we are a family. Everyone who works in the SJU Culinary Department, regardless of job title, strives to make the department successful and accommodate the needs of our students, faculty, staff, as well as all visitors.
Favorite food at SJU: Chicken Kiev
Purchasing/Operations Manager, Culinary Services and Events
Years at SJU: 16 Years
What you love most about your job: We all have a special role to play at SJU Culinary services, and when it all comes together it’s an especially well run operation.
What you want people to know about dining at SJU: That’s it is a friendly and inviting place to enjoy a delicious meal.
Favorite food at SJU: Indian
Dietitian/Administrative Manager, Culinary Services and Events
Years at SJU: 13
What you love most about your job: Working with students! They keep me young at heart.
What you want people to know about dining at SJU: We truly value Benedictine hospitality. Our customers can expect chef-inspired meals, served with warmth, in beautiful surroundings.
Favorite Food at SJU: Our French fries! We have crinkle cuts, waffle fries, steak fries, shoestring potatoes, tater tots, curly fries…
Executive Chef/Culinary Manager, Culinary Services and Events
Years at SJU: 11 years
What you love most about your job: I love that each day is a new experience, and creates plenty of possibilities for breaking the mold and trying something new. Our amazing students and staff make working at SJU a real pleasure.
What you want people to know about dining at SJU: I want our guests to know that we care, and that we provide great food for our students in a safe family like environment.
Favorite food at SJU: That’s a tough one for me because I like it all! But, if I had to pick just one, I would have to say that our Street Taco Bar is one of my favorites.
Sous Chef, Culinary Services and Events
Years at SJU: 23rd school year
What you love most about your job: I’ve been able to meet and teach hundreds of students and dozens of fulltime staff over the years. I’ve learned something from every one of the people I’ve come in contact with!
What you want people to knw about dining at SJU: I’d like people to know that at SJU dining, we strive to serve our students with the best quality possible, to give everyone the best nutritional options and keeping up with the current food trends.
Favorite food at SJU: I do not have a favorite food at SJU. Being able to create and prepare new foods and ideas! That's my favorite thing with food at SJU!
Retail Operations Manager, Culinary Services and Events
Years at SJU: 7
Love most about job: Working with other co-workers who are passionate about their job. That no two days are the same.
What do you want people to know about dining at SJU: That the people preparing/serving their food are constantly striving to enhance the dining experience at SJU. Whether that be by new products, recipes or the overall ambience and hospitality of the dining locations.
Favorite Food at SJU: Josh’s crispy golden brown hashbrowns and breakfast at the reef. The mandarin orange salad, roasted red pepper smoked gouda soup, Greek yogurt parfaits, and the Pork Carnitas on the burrito bar at Sexton
Retail Operations Supervisor, Culinary Services and Events
Mary Binsfeld
Catering Supervisor, Culinary Services and Events
Years at SJU: 9 years
What you love most about your job: Doing catering events, spending time with the people I work with and the customers we serve
What do you want people to know about dining at SJU: We have a great variety of food to choose from, and there is always something for anyone to eat, no matter if you have a diet restriction or not. We have wonderful food, come give us a try!
Favorite Food at SJU: Green chile stew with corn bread, dill pickle soup, mashed potato bar
Dan Hoffarth
Assistant Manager, Culinary Services and Events
Years at SJU: 1 year
What you love most about your job: Serving great food and giving guests a great experience in the dining room and at special events.
What do you want people to know about dining at SJU: Great variety of foods and great people serving and making the food.
Favorite Food at SJU: Orange Chicken and BBQ chicken nuggets
Anca Altenberg
Retail Operations Supervisor, Culinary Services and Events
Joel Berman
Service Supervisor, Culinary Services and Events
Kyle Green
Service Supervisor, Culinary Services and Events