Q&A with Jordan Driskel
Jordan Driskel serves as the Manager for Celebrations Catering within Student Affairs, assisting faculty and students with planning their events. Whether coordinating food and beverage orders, or supporting those who wish to provide cultural dishes they have prepared themselves, Jordan ensures every event runs smoothly.
What Jordan enjoys most about the role is being a helping hand in the event planning process. Understanding that coordinating events can be stressful, Jordan takes pride in alleviating some of that burden, allowing clients to focus on other aspects of their event and fully enjoy the experience. Hearing someone say they never had to worry because they trusted Jordan and the team to take care of them is the highest compliment and a testament to the dedication and care Jordan brings to every event.
Q: What are some of the most exciting or unique dining experiences you’ve helped create for students this semester?
A: We cater a wide range of events for faculty and students, including cultural events, seminars and conferences. Our most recent student event, which we helped plan and cater, was the BSG Big XII conference. Working alongside faculty advisors and student coordinators, we fed a little over 460 people from across the nation who had traveled to our campus for their event. Over three days and seven meals, we worked hard to provide the best possible experience for the group and their guests.
Not all the events we cater are attended by students, though most do impact them in some way. We are currently in the process of assisting with an event that is raising money for scholarships that will go to students in our department of theatre, the Mad Hatter’s Tea Party. This is an event that will be hosted by the Theater Circle. Our Chef de Cuisine and I have worked to create a fun and unique menu to complement the theme of this group’s event and are thoroughly looking forward to seeing this menu come together on their big night.
Q: How does dining collaborate with Student Affairs to enhance campus events and student engagement?
A: In my current position as Catering Manager for Celebration Catering, I work with many of my colleagues to coordinate events designed to help bring students together. From Welcome Week events like Rock the Block to SUAB events throughout the year, Celebrations is there to help bring another layer to each group. After all, what student wouldn’t be interested when they here free food?
Our department also caters events for potential and incoming students. Junior Day hosted by Undergraduate Admissions brings prospective students and their families to campus and we are there to provide refreshments. In the same vein, we cater the meals for students over the summer that come for orientation. Each of these are most often a student’s first experience here on our campus and the impression we make is greater when we work alongside one another.
Q: What are some of the most popular catering offerings among students right now?
A: Celebrations offers a wide range of excellent selections, though what is most popular depends on the type of event being hosted. For smaller gatherings serving hors d’oeuvres the crowd favorite is our Chicken Thai Bites. When it comes to our buffet options, the fajita buffet is the one I have noticed students like most.
Q: For people who are new to campus, what dining options or hidden gems would you recommend they check out?
A: If someone is new on campus, I would recommend they check out the boba tea machine at Plaza Corner Café in the Student Union. Though it was only added this January, it has quickly become a crowd favorite at lunch. There is a wide range of options for you to choose from and different ways to customize your drink, including the sweetness level so it is perfect for everyone’s taste.
Each location makes adjustments to their menu from time to time. With that in mind, I would also suggest students revisit different places when they come back each semester. You never know what new menu items there may be.