Panini Machine Installed in DH Students and Faculty Enjoy Toasted Sandwiches
By Bo Ra Kim ’10
News Reporter
The campus has been buzzing with one topic lately—the new Panini machine in the dining hall. Most students and teachers love it. Ever since the machine has been put into use, students and faculty have been crowding around the press, waiting to place their custom-made sandwich onto the grill that is usually already full of various sandwiches.
“I think that the Panini machine is the best thing that happened to the Choate dining hall. It just makes life so much better,” states Michelle Nam ’10.
Arman Naqi ’09 agrees: “I love it. I think it’s good that they are getting up to date on the latest food trends.” According to Language teacher Meghan Hazard, “Everything’s better with melted cheese on it.” George Ramirez ’11 explains, “I love the new Panini machine. Every time I’ve used it, it’s been great. It makes your cheese all melty.”
Sometimes, people have minor qualms with the machine. “It makes the dining hall smell like it’s burning; otherwise, I’m a huge enthusiast,” says English teacher Ellen Devine.
One current debate is whether or not the Panini machine should be available at dinner also. “I think that it would be wonderful to have the Panini machine at dinner!” says Gabrielle Siegel ’10. Francisca DaSilveira ’10 does not see a point: “They don’t have a sandwich bar at dinner, so why would you need the Panini machine at dinner?”
Because the Panini machine can get very hot, it can easily burn users. Accidents have already occurred in the past week. No one has been burned yet, but there have been some close calls with peanut butter and jelly Panini or even peanut butter and fluff Panini.
“Please don’t put peanut butter and jelly on the Panini machine; it drips down the sides and it burns on the Panini machine and smokes a lot,” requests Michelle Nam ’10. “I think [the Panini machine is] the best part of the dining hall because you get to pick what you want in your Panini. It’s delicious,” comments Christian Keggi ’10. “However, I think it creates too much smoke in the dining hall when people screw around with it.”
Some students and teachers think that the huge crowd around the Panini machine and the sandwich bar is disruptive. “It’s really frustrating to try to walk by it when you’re trying to get somewhere. And it’s really frustrating when you don’t get lunch and you’re trying to get a sandwich before class and you can’t get there because there are so many people waiting for the Panini machine,” says Marian Firke ’10. “But that way [past the Panini machine] is just five feet from the other way so it’s not a problem,” April Soto ’10 retaliates. “It creates a lot of chaos and a lot of people are lining up where they shouldn’t be. It takes up place in an awkward place. I can’t get through there and it’s kind of annoying. But I’m happy for the people who like Panini,” states Madeleine Morris ’10.
“It seems almost too popular for its own good. There’s always a very large line. I’ve even had students ask to leave early so they could beat the Panini line. So it’s caused a certain amount of stress,” comments Mr. Gordon Armour.
The Panini machine cost the school $2441.07, and the new toaster next to it cost $1046.07—a grand total of $3486.14. After reading the article, “Rising Food Costs Hit Hill House,” written by Erin Ellis ’10 (published in the April 18th issue of The News), some students cannot help but wonder if this was a good choice, no matter how many people love it. “Because of the laws of supply and demand, food prices are at a record high,” wrote Erin Ellis ’10 in her article. “Some worry that as a result of the high prices of food and transportation, ARAMARK could raise the price of its contract with Choate, in turn triggering increased tuition costs.” “They could have recarpeted our dorm [Quantrell] with the money. Our carpet isn’t the best. We would love new carpets!” said Will Porter ’10. “If they can get money for a Panini machine, why don’t they use it on something else?” questioned Kimberly Lum ’10.
ARAMARK has the students’ best interests in mind. They vary the menus to encompass a variety of foods. When asked why ARAMARK decided to purchase a Panini machine, staff member Kevin Crowley, answered, “We like to try to keep things new and exciting for the kids, so it’s been added to the dining hall.”
Either way, most of the Choate community loves the new addition to the dining hall. The smell of burning may linger in Hill House for a while, but the majority of students and faculty seem to think that it is a minor problem that does not compare with the delight of a Panini at lunch. Guy Dupont ’09 sums it all up in three words: “Paninis are tasty!”
