NEWS FROM GRAMMAR 2015
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Boarding House Dining<br />
The dining room in the Boarding House echoes of the past.<br />
A large brick fire place, honour boards and historical photographs,<br />
polished floors, well-worn wooden benches and buffed tables have<br />
been witness to a multitude of students across the generations;<br />
eating. The importance of food and the quality of the meals served<br />
can not be underestimated in students’ minds. Most ex-students<br />
recollections of the Boarding House involve food. There have been<br />
some horror stories of food and fruit rationing, trying to hide mushy<br />
food in pockets to avoid eating it, of learning to ‘like ‘tripe so you<br />
could feel full and of competitions seeing who can flick butter patties<br />
onto the ceiling.<br />
Today tells a different story.<br />
The Strickland family have been managing the kitchen since 2011.<br />
Maree runs the tuck shop and helps in the kitchen at busy time.<br />
Daughter Danielle is the kitchen hand and there is casual help at<br />
nights and during the weekends. But the kitchen domain is Darryl<br />
Strickland’s.<br />
Darryl caters for around 65 diners. This includes boarders, Gappies<br />
and boarding house staff.<br />
A day in the dining room begins with a continental breakfast with two<br />
hot options – perhaps pancakes or baked beans. Hungry boarders<br />
are offered a hot meal for lunch and a salad bar. In the evening,<br />
diners have the option of two dishes and a vegetarian meal. Students<br />
with special dietary needs are also<br />
catered for, whether it is gluten free or<br />
celiac free. The International students<br />
are looked after for with rice and noodles<br />
being offered most nights. Many students<br />
come back for seconds.<br />
Darryl’s philosophy is ‘fresh is best’. He<br />
ensures meals are well balanced and<br />
follows dietary guidelines. Butter chicken,<br />
Mongolian lamb or themed Mexican<br />
nights are popular with the students.<br />
The boarders are very appreciative.<br />
“They are a fantastic group of students.<br />
I am here because of the kids. If they are<br />
happy, I am happy.” He runs an open<br />
kitchen so they feel it is theirs. – They are<br />
not afraid to ask for extras.<br />
Darryl says the garbage bin is an<br />
indicator of what is popular.<br />
Whilst the dining room is etched in history the<br />
food served today is appealing and appetising.<br />
And the boarders’ favourite ingredient? Chocolate!<br />
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