Returning to Campus: Camilo Meneses
By: Shona Simkin Camilo Meneses is the executive sous chef at the Chao Center. While Executive Education has not had any in-person sessions since the beginning of the pandemic in March of 2020, Chao was open for students and staff until later in the fall, when all dining operations were centered in Spangler. We asked Camilo about his experience feeding the HBS campus community throughout this time, and how his concerns about his and his family’s safety have been addressed. Has your role and schedule shifted since the pandemic? Along with changing locations and having different clients, our role in the kitchen has also changed. One of the biggest immediate changes was that all of the buffets, salad bars, and plated food stations closed and we started packaging all food offerings. Our staff began to receive training on how to operate in the kitchen with COVID restrictions and guidelines, and our model of service evolved throughout the pandemic. Our staff was very flexible with all of the changes that were thrown their way, and I am very proud of them. I am very grateful for Harvard’s generosity during this pandemic. We have been able to work during these hard times. I feel very lucky to work for such a great organization who takes such great care of their community. How long have you worked at HBS? What were some of your concerns about working during the pandemic, and how were those addressed? With two young children at home, including a newborn, one of my main concerns was protecting them since I was still coming into work and had more possible exposure. I developed a routine to clean and sanitize myself and my work gear so I could hopefully avoid bringing germs home. At work I wanted to ensure that my staff felt safe coming to work. In my opinion, HBS was ahead of the game in many aspects. We were getting our temperature checked daily prior to working, we began wearing masks very early on, and social distancing was implemented very early on as well. COVID 19 testing and Crimson Clear were very important safety measurements that the University implemented for the community. With all of these in place, I felt safe when coming into work and I knew that work was a safe place to be. Now, my wife and I are both vaccinated and it is nice to begin seeing restrictions being lifted. It gives us all hope of normalcy getting closer and closer. What has it been like to be on campus during this time? Have there been any professional and personal high points? Have there been any challenges? What has been particularly helpful during this time? |
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