Alexa Capeloto
GLENDALE -- Many people know about the freshman 15, that extra
poundage college students gain when they first encounter dormitory
buffets. But how about the DreamWorks 15?
At the DreamWorks animation studio in Glendale, the food service has
become the stuff of legend, offering a cornucopia of culinary delights
free of charge to its more than 800 employees. For breakfast and lunch,
employees have access to freshly prepared gourmet entrees, a fully
stocked deli, a salad bar and a dessert bar. In between, they can hit up
one of 26 snack stations throughout the studio that stock chips, fruit
and drinks.
"Many people have indicated to me that they have put on a few pounds
since working here, even myself," said Richard Kolanda, general manager
of food service. "There is a real passion here, both in the integrity of
the food and the level of service."
That passion extends beyond studio employees. Food.com just named the
DreamWorks kitchen one of the six Coolest Corporate Kitchens in the
Country. After sifting through hundreds of nominations, three judges
decided that the studio's Glendale commissary is a rare treasure.
"They serve a lot of people, it's a full-amenity kitchen and all the
meals are free. That is pretty attractive," said Beverly Borrows, one of
the Food.com judges.
Darci Zalvin, a production supervisor at the studio, said that when
she left another studio to work at DreamWorks, colleagues drew a
caricature of her a couple of hundred pounds heavier.
"It's like going away to college," said Zalvin as she ate Wednesday's
entree, a subtly spicy Southwest-style ziti.
The food is catered by Bon Apetit and offers something for almost
every diet. Sometimes ethnic or holiday themes will determine the menu.
When the studio released the movie "Chicken Run," the commissary offered
a full menu without a single piece of chicken, out of respect for the
movie's characters.
Head chef Alicia Ojeda likes the fun nature of the menu, but knows
that good food is the bottom line with her consumers. She uses only fresh
vegetables, fruit and meat and keeps overpowering ingredients like salt
to a minimum.
"I love to season with fresh herbs and juices, vinegar, citrus, zest,
garlic, red wine-- nice bold flavors," she said. "I encourage the cooks
to taste the ingredients so that it's flavorful when it comes together."
On the ziti day, studio chief Jeffrey Katzenberg went through the
cafeteria line and ate in the commissary with all of his employees.
Kolanda said Katzenberg, Steven Spielberg and David Geffen have been
known to dine together at the cafeteria.
