This is no ordinary cafeteria. When you are eating at John B. Dey Elementary School under Debbie Cathey’s watch, you are eating in a café. The food alone, tells the story.
You won’t find any Saran-wrapped hamburgers or prefabbed salads on Cathey’s line. When it comes to food her philosophy is simple: presentation is everything.
“If I won’t eat it, I certainly don’t expect them to eat it,” Cathey said. “If we are serving hamburgers we are putting the patties down in beef stock and then making the burgers on the line so they are fresh, hot and appealing. That beats wrapping it an hour in advance.”
For 15 years Cathey has been chopping, slicing, dicing and sautéing her way through the Dey kitchen as the cafeteria manager. Her spunky personality and edgy look break the mold of the “lunch lady,” Dey staff members say, but it’s her dedication to the school that really sets her apart.
She ensures there are foods that meet the needs of students with specialized diets, and makes certain there isn’t a lack of funding in a school account to prevent a child from eating. From special events like a colleague luncheon to helping third graders jar strawberry jam as part of an economics project, Cathey has a large impact on her school.
“She takes personal interest in the well-being of our students,” said Dey Media Specialist Susan Hardesty. “She goes out of her way to make the cafeteria experience a great one for all.”
But if it’s her kind heart that she’s known for, it’s her food that makes her famous.
A teacher once asked Cathey, “Did you bring this stuff from home?”
She couldn’t help but laugh out loud.
“I use all the things I am provided here, nothing different than anyone else, I just add my own twist,” Cathey said. “I guess some people just take things as they are given and serve them that way, but I like for us to put our own special touch on things.”
Take grilled chicken for example.
Sure, it would be easy enough to warm it up, toss it on a bed of lettuce and call it a salad.
Cathey though, will have no part in that. Instead she adds lemon juice, pepper, a dash of seasonings, pops it in the oven and then adds tomatoes, onions, vinegar, oil and garlic. Next she places the chicken on a bed of spring mix. Suddenly, salad is the best seller.
“It’s a chicken paillard salad of sorts,” she said. “Color, flavor, aroma, those are the things that make food appetizing. It takes a little more time but it’s worth it.”
Her creativity in the kitchen seems boundless. From sweet potato salad to veggie chips, people line up to get a taste of her café’s fare.
Earlier this year, Cathey noticed that school staff members were drinking tea and coffee during the day, but leaving the water jug untouched. She took stock of what she had in the kitchen and began adding fresh fruit slices and ice to the water. Suddenly, they can’t keep the jug full.
Then there are the students. A big fan of the Farm to School initiative which focuses on increasing the amount of fresh Virginia-grown fruits and vegetables schools serve to students, Cathey looks for ways to entice Dey students into trying something new.
Something like Kale.
“When it’s something children aren’t familiar with you have to do something to make them want it, so I’ll give them a taste, tell them to come back and let me know what they think,” she said. “Doing that, I almost always win them over.”
With kale, Cathey made chips and put them on top of burgers. The students raved.
“Who knew?” said Dey Principal Beth Bianchi. “She has this way of making everything look and taste amazing and the children and staff love it. I try not to brag on her too much because I don’t want another school to steal her, but I think she is a real treasure.”
Already, Cathey gets approached by division principals with an occasional request to cater parties or special events. Most times she turns them down. Her focus is on Dey.
“I am very fortunate. I have a great crew, I couldn’t do what I do without them,” Cathey said. “They always want to go over and beyond for our students and staff. We have fun thinking up news way to surprise them.”
Compass Keeper Q&A:
What is your pet peeve?
“Microwaved food. I don’t believe in microwaves.”
What food do you like most?
“I love fresh flavors and trying new things. It’s hard to have just one favorite because I am always doing something new.”
What food do you like least?
“Well I can tell you there were no Happy Meals in my house!”
What’s the key to introducing new foods to children?
“Always make it look good and make it fun. Kids can’t resist trying something that seems fun and different.”
*Do you know someone who should be featured as a Compass Keeper? Send your nomination to news@vbschools.com.
I think that is just awesome. We expect our kids to go to school get their education, and they are not provided it what thy need to learn. A good fresh, hot lunch that was prepared with love. God Bless you.
I would like to comment Ms. Cathey on her efforts for the food in her school! I wish ALL schools were like this. Norfolk has a great food system and they are generally concerned about the health and well being of what their children eat. Virginia Beach could learn alot from them and with what Ms. Cathey is doing. I like her mindset, of if she won’t eat it, why would she expect them to? EXACTLY right! I am a Weight Watchers leader and see children in my meeting all of the time and their main concern is their school lunches because that’s where they are 5 days out of seven. It would be nice to see VA Beach adopt a more healthy lifestyle to assist these children in making “healthier choices” that are effortless to them.
I was happy to see this article and wish that all VB school cafeterias would take Cathy’s approach. Both of my girls attend elementary school in Virginia Beach and neither will eat the school lunch. On the days I’ve tried to “take a day off” and have them buy lunch, they protest and state that they can not eat the lunches the schools provide because they are not appetizing. I would also love to see the sugary “smoothy” machines taken out of the cafeteria…baby steps!!
Way to go Cathy keeping our kids happy and healthy!
It is great to see that there are continuing efforts to help promote students to eat a healthy meal! I love that fruit was added to the water for staff because we do the same thing at home! I do think bottled water should be available as an option for student lunches inlue of milk and should not be an additional charge.
While I applaud Cathy’s efforts, I have 4 kids in Virginia Beach Schools and I am a little disappointed and shocked that there wasn’t more emphasis on the Dey cafeteria team as a whole. I have eaten lunch at my kids’ schools numerous times and I can tell you it takes a team for those cafeteria’s to run like they do!! Everyone should be recognized for their efforts. Additionally, I am also aware that some VB school cafeteria kitchens do not have heat or AC- so if it is a 90 degree day out with several ovens running it must be quite uncomfortable for all of those staff members! It shocks me that we can spend all that money on Kellam but we cannot provide heat an AC in the schools’ kitchens!
When my son was at Dey, he bought lunch almost everyday. He loved it. I can’t say the same now that he is older and at a different school. Ms. Cathey definitely made lunchtime great for him!
Debbie Cathey is an amazing example of a Compass Keeper! I am thrilled to see her recognized for her love for students and her love of cooking. She is truly a gem!!
I worked at Dey several years ago. I miss her friendly, caring attitude and her yummy salads!
How are these great choices available at JBD and not other schools? I have never seen anything resembling a fresh salad or kale at my daughters school! Kudos to this school and there choices. My kids only take lunch because the food at school is so bad.
Kudos Debbie to you and your John B Dey Cafeteria Staff (Joyce, Lisa, Diana, and Besty)!
You and your staff do an excellent job serving our students. Each of you recognize the importance of every day, every student in providing nutritious meals! Thank you!