Graphic by Maya Uribe
By Miggy Aguilar and Melisa Rodriguez
Islands Kitchen at CI has seen changes going underway to its menu, features and more! Islands Kitchen is a culinary hub where flavors come alive, and meals are crafted with passion. Behind it all is John Fisher, the general manager of CI Dining. In this exclusive interview, we step inside The Islands Kitchen to uncover the daily grind of Fisher and his team, and the innovative ideas transforming campus dining into something far from ordinary.
We had the unique opportunity to speak to Fisher about what exactly led him to CI and his passion for working in the culinary industry. With a background spanning over 25 years in the culinary industry, Fisher has brought a wealth of knowledge and experience to CI, working alongside his team to enhance the campus dining experience.
Fisher’s role extends beyond daily management, as he oversees retail, dining, and catering services on campus. “I oversee all operations for retail and dining and catering here on campus. Basically, what that entails is overseeing the culinary aspect from behind the scenes with Chef Peter, but also just working with Bridget, our director of catering, on multiple catering events that we do here on campus, as well as the front of house, with retail from Ekho’s cafe, formerly lighthouse, to JSB the protein sip, and then our Sea store as well,” Fisher explained. His experience in everything from fine dining to fast casual restaurants has given him the skills to manage a wide range of operations and ensure a smooth dining experience for students and staff alike.
One of the significant changes Fisher has implemented is an increased focus on teamwork and communication. “It’s always challenging when you bring a bunch of new people together…Communication that has to take place. So we strive to make sure that we’re communicating daily with our teams, multiple times a day, to make sure that they are clear of what the expectations are and the support that they have around them, so that there are no questions,” Fisher said. This collaborative effort has contributed to the positive changes seen at Islands Kitchen, from improvements in service to the atmosphere.
Speaking of atmosphere, one of the most noticeable changes in Island’s Kitchen is the introduction of TVs and music to make it a more inviting space. Fisher shared his vision for the space saying, “We really wanted it to be an inviting space for people, not just a place where they come and eat, but really a place to come and hang out. You know, great food, and cuisine is awesome, but there’s this balance of being able to come someplace and hang out with your friends and enjoy food, but also just enjoy a space and have fun.” Fisher explains that this is a big part of what they are looking to create for CI.
Fisher also emphasizes that the students’ feedback is crucial to making these changes. “We’re listening to students right now, what they’re looking for, what they want, what would be better for them. So we want to try to incorporate those things into the program as well,” he added.
For Fisher, success comes down to creating a supportive culture where everyone buys into the same vision. Fisher is grateful for the dedication of his staff, who have worked hard to ensure the dining experience at CI is the best it can be. “They really want the experience for the students to be the best it can possibly be. And I know that they’ve worked countless hours to make that happen. So from the bottom of my heart, it’s a huge thank you,” Fisher concluded. As Islands Kitchen continues to evolve, students can expect more exciting changes in the coming months, all aimed at creating a better, more engaging dining experience on campus!
By Broadcasting
