Sigma Nu has been fortunate to have its share of great cooks over the years, but our current cook likely tops them all.
Cindy Smith has been in our kitchen for the last seven years, and she helps make meal time at Sigma Nu extra special. The brothers know they are always going to get an excellent meal, and the quality of the food entices virtually all the live-outs to come to the house for dinner. This brings our brothers closer together than other houses, because they spend time as a chapter almost daily. Also, Cindy’s delicious cooking gives Sigma Nu a real advantage during rush, as potential new brothers get a taste–literally–of living at Sigma Nu and discover we have the best food on the Hill.
Sigma News: When did you first come to Sigma Nu?
Cindy: I came to Sigma Nu about seven years ago, when Dan Galusha ’72 hired me along with then Commander Caleb Crim ’13. I remember feeling very much at home when I first came. The guys were all very friendly and excited to have me in their house.
Sigma News: What do you enjoy most about the job?
Cindy: Well, I must say my job is very rewarding. The brothers are so appreciative of everything I do for them.
Sigma News: What is the favorite dish the brothers like you to make for them?
Cindy: I’m going to say sweet-and-sour chicken. They really love it, so I love to make it for them.
Sigma News: What dish do you most like to make for the brothers?
Cindy: I answered this one, but as a joke we can say stir fry. We kind of have a laugh when stir fry is on the menu. Some of the guys are not sure they care for it (LOL!), but it’s a given and saves money so we can have steak on occasion.
Sigma News: Are the brothers healthy eaters?
Cindy: Actually, the guys eat all the veggies I make, so you can let the moms know their boys are, for the most part, making healthy choices.
Sigma News: You have a great reputation for making fantastic food. What sets you apart from the other cooks on campus?
Cindy: I think what sets us apart from some of the other houses is that I try to make the guys feel like they can ask me anything, and I do my very best to help them or to cook them what they like. It’s as close to home as we can get, and I love all of them!
Sigma News: How many brothers are you cooking for daily?
Cindy: During breakfast, I usually see as many as 10 to 20 of the guys. This semester, lunch is always busy, because most of them come for that meal. Dinner is buffet style; I cook for 60, and most of the time there are no leftovers.
Sigma News: What is a typical day like in the Sigma Nu kitchen?
Cindy: I can start breakfast by 8:30 a.m. for the early guys. For lunch, I usually have them coming any time after 11:30 a.m. If I have everything ready, we are good to go, and dinner tends to be at 6:00 p.m. I also try to have things ready for the guys I know will need to eat early or late. That’s what sets us apart from the rest. The guys will text me for early meals or late ones. Some will get a wrap or a sandwich at breakfast to take with them if they can’t make it back to the house for lunch.
Sigma News: Who sets the menu?
Cindy: I do the menu, but I always check with the guys for their input. Just the other day, I lacked a lunch idea, so I asked them for suggestions, and they decided on turkey club sandwiches. We work together.
Sigma News: Is there anything the brotherhood can do to help make your job easier or to improve our kitchen?
Cindy: I do think, because we will always do buffet style meals, that a hot steam table would be an awesome addition.
Sigma News: Last question: are the brothers still doing kitchen raids?
Cindy: We have been most lucky to have a new sandwich cart in the pantry area. It does help to keep down traffic in the kitchen, but (LOL!) does not stop those pesky midnight kitchen raids.
Brothers interested in connecting with Cindy can e-mail her at cinsm3456@yahoo.com. If you are ever in Ithaca, stop by the house at dinner time to say hi to Cindy, and enjoy a delicious meal.