VVS Canteen

Leonor Carillo takes pride in being someone her team can count on. She enjoys the work
she does each day and says one of her greatest accomplishments has been building strong
relationships with her coworkers. “I feel proud that we’ve all been working as a team,” she
says, adding that knowing she can rely on those around her has made her career especially
meaningful.

She knows that foodservice can become demanding in a matter of minutes, but believes
the key is staying focused and working even harder when the pace increases. Leonor also
enjoys helping others and finds satisfaction in making a coworker’s day a little less
stressful. That spirit of teamwork is what she values most about coming to work each day.
Outside of work, Leonor enjoys spending quality time with her family and cooking meals at
home. Reflecting on her years with VVS, she says the friendships she’s built with kind and
appreciative people have stayed with her the most. Those relationships continue to
motivate her and remind her why she enjoys being part of the VVS family.

For the past 10 years, Gabriella Cantu has helped start each day at National Beef before
most people arrive. Beginning work at 5:00 a.m., she prepares breakfast on the Fresh Grill,
serves customers as a cashier during breaks, then transitions into preparing lunch before
cleaning and getting ready for the next day. It’s a fast-paced role that requires organization,
creativity, and teamwork.

Gabriella says many people don’t realize how much coordination it takes to serve hundreds
of meals each day. “There are a lot of moving parts,” she explains, and everyone plays an
important role in making the operation successful. She enjoys experimenting with new
recipes on the Fresh Grill and loves seeing how food brings happiness to customers. Just as
meaningful to her are the friendships she’s built over the last decade and the way her
coworkers always step in to help one another.

One experience she’ll never forget came after her family lost everything in a house fire.
Gabriella recalls how VVS employees organized a raffle and rallied together to help her
family rebuild. “That makes me proud to be VVS family,” she says. It’s a reminder that the
relationships built at work often become much more than coworkers; they become family.

For 15 years, Donnie Lanier has been a familiar face at Cargill in Friona. As the cafeteria
custodian, his day is filled with keeping the facility clean, organized, and running smoothly.
From covering long distances throughout the plant to working in every type of weather
while handling waste removal, Donnie understands that success often comes from the
work that happens behind the scenes.

What Donnie enjoys most is the teamwork that surrounds him each day. Great food, great
coworkers, and the opportunity to meet new people have made his years with VVS
rewarding. Looking back, one memory stands above the rest: celebrating his 15th
anniversary. The decorations, cake, and congratulations from both coworkers and
customers made him feel genuinely appreciated.

When he’s away from work, Donnie enjoys watching movies, spending time with his cat,
Sweet Pea, and treating himself to a good steak. His dedication and positive attitude
continue to make a difference for both his team and the customers he serves every day.

The timeless comfort of a grilled cheese sandwich is unparalleled – a classic that transcends generations. But why stick to the basics when you can embark on a culinary adventure with gourmet variations that redefine this iconic delight? Give these a try!

The Classic Comfort:

Start with the basics – buttery, golden-brown bread hugging the perfect blend of sharp cheddar and creamy American cheese. Simple, yet forever satisfying.

Mediterranean Magic:

Transport your taste buds with a Mediterranean twist. Add feta, sundried tomatoes, and a sprinkle of oregano between two slices, creating a grilled cheese that echoes the flavors of the Aegean.

Spicy Jalapeño Jack:

Kick up the heat with slices of spicy jalapeño and pepper jack cheese. This variation adds a zesty punch, making every bite an explosion of flavor for the daring palate.

Caprese Revival:

Bring the Caprese salad into sandwich form by layering mozzarella, tomato slices, fresh basil, and a balsamic glaze between slices—a grilled masterpiece inspired by Italian simplicity.

Pesto Perfection:

Elevate your grilled cheese with a smear of basil pesto. Combine it with melty provolone, sun-dried tomatoes, and a handful of arugula for a sandwich that sings with vibrant flavors.

BBQ Bacon Bonanza:

Satisfy your carnivorous cravings by incorporating crispy bacon and a smoky barbecue sauce into your grilled cheese. It’s a hearty, indulgent treat for lovers of savory delights.

VVS Marked the end of 2023 with 45 plant-wide holiday feeds across 12 states, ending with over 90,000 meals served in just over 30 days! Providing daily meals to some of the most critical frontline and essential workers nationwide has been an honor. We want to extend a huge “Thank You” to all our clients and customers for their continued support and dedication to feeding America. Thank you for being family. Happy Holidays!

Shane Banahan and Jaren Almendarez were recently crowned the VVS Fried Chicken Champions of Texas! Shane is the Site Manager of the cafeteria at the Tyson Plant in Vernon, Texas, and Jaren is the supervisor at that location. Voters considered appearance, quality, and taste when deciding a winner in the blind taste test. Shane & Jaren came out on top, with site managers & cooks taking part from almost all VVS Texas locations. Congratulations, Shane & Jaren, your cuisine reigns supreme!

The hotdog is almost as American as apple pie! So, whether you love a standard ketchup and mustard combo or drag your Chicago Dog through the garden with all the toppings under the sun, try branching out this summer with some crazy topping combos that might change the way you look (and taste!) hotdogs forever!

Ball Game Dog – Caramel Corn & Cheese Sauce

We topped this dog with our favorite things from a summer ball game – hotdogs, nachos, and Cracker Jacks! Sprinkle on some Caramel Corn and then douse the whole thing in cheese sauce, play ball!

Peanut Butter Bacon Dog

Try it once, and it all unexpectedly comes together! Use a toasted hotdog bun for this one, then add mayo to the bun, peanut butter to the dog, shallots, shredded cheese, and bacon over everything else – you can thank me later!

Sloppy Dogs

Get out your favorite sloppy joe recipe and top that dog! Then go crazy with your favorite conventional toppings from relish and ketchup to mustard and peppers.

Buffalo Chicken Mac & Cheese Dogs

Everyone loves mac & cheese – throw it on a dog! Then add chicken tossed in your favorite buffalo sauce over the mac and drizzle the whole thing with homemade ranch dressing. Enjoy!

Sweet & Salty Dog

The ever-ongoing debate, what does pineapple belong or not belong on? We think it belongs on this dog with bacon and teriyaki sauce as well! These flavor combinations will take you on a sweet and salty ride that is as unexpected as it is good!

In June, VVS gave away over 25 grills as part of our Great Grill Giveaway! We had winners in every account, each taking home a Blue Rhino Stainless Steel 3-Burner Liquid Propane Gas Grill! A big thank you to everybody who entered. Follow us on Facebook to keep tabs on upcoming giveaways and promotions! @VVSinc

Does your cafeteria or break space need an upgrade? From concept to design to installation, VVS can help do it all!

The right break room options can directly affect everything from your employee’s productivity and creativity to your ability to retain and recruit top talent. Depending on your company’s needs, deciding on a Cafeteria, Micro Market, Pantry, Coffee, or Vending services can be challenging. VVS can help break down your options so you understand what’s best for your employees. For a more in-depth understanding of the available options, check out this quick read from our blog on choosing the right option for you: https://vvscanteen.com/which-option-is-right-for-you/

We help create remarkable spaces, and we can help you make sense of the process involved, too. Reach out to us today for a free consultation. For another quick read, check out our blog post on Creating Great Spaces: https://vvscanteen.com/creating-great-spaces/

About Mushrooms

Did you know that mushrooms aren’t plants, but rather, they’re considered part of the fungi kingdom? Even though they don’t have leaves, roots, or seeds, and don’t need light to grow, the U.S. Department of Agriculture still classifies them as vegetables. “Why?” you ask? They provide many of the same nutritional attributes as vegetables, bridging core food groups.

Many mushrooms lack the color that other vegetables have, but don’t let that fool you – they still have many nutritional benefits. They’re an excellent source of copper, and vitamin B (folate, riboflavin, thiamine, niacin, pantothenic acid), which help collect energy from food and form red blood cells that keep our bodies and brains healthy! Mushrooms are the only and best vegan source of vitamin D when exposed to UV rays.

In addition, they contain potassium, fiber, and vitamin C, which can contribute to heart health! Potassium assists in regulating blood pressure, decreasing the risk of hypertension, maintaining fluids and electrolyte balance, and the presence of fiber helps conditions such as type II diabetes.

Why Mushrooms are SUPERFOODS

So, you may be wondering, “Why is the mushroom a SUPERFOOD?”. Because mushrooms contain one magical antioxidant known as selenium! Selenium aids in supporting the immune system by preventing damage to the cells and tissues. Another reason mushrooms are considered a superfood is their ability to destroy viruses including flu, smallpox, salmonella, E. Coli, and yeast. Lectin binds to abnormal/cancer cells and labels them for destruction by the immune system.

How to get maximum nutrients from mushrooms

Our digestive system can’t break down the compound that makes up the cell walls of mushrooms – known as chitin. So, to dissolve the good stuff from within the cells of the mushroom, it’s recommended to expose it to high heat (broil, sauté, deep-fry, or bake) to melt it down – ensuring that we’re unlocking their flavor and getting all the nutrition and health effects we’re looking for.

The good news is, besides the numerous health benefits, mushrooms are 90% water, fat-free, cholesterol-free, low in sodium, and full of fiber – so you can’t go wrong with including mushrooms in your daily routine!

Recipe Inspiration

Need some inspiration for dishes that incorporate mushrooms? Check out these simple recipes!

https://www.thekitchn.com/savory-french-toast-22931769
https://www.foodandwine.com/recipes/mushroom-cuban-quesadillas
https://www.foodandwine.com/recipes/portobello-mushroom-and-red-pepper-pizza
https://goop.com/recipes/marinated-mushrooms/