Google, in itself, is unlike most employers.  They are industry leaders in providing their employees with whatever they need to bring out their best.  One such way is in their dining program.  All “Googlers” receive free food from the moment they enter the building until their day ends.  There are six cafes, each with a different theme: Asian street food, international specialties, grills, traditional salad bars, vegan salad bars, raw food bars, sandwich stations, juice bars, coffee bars and a specialty breakfast bar.  There is food everywhere!

Monday, I prepared and served a Korean specialty dish called bibimbap, which consists of a fried egg over rice served with braised short ribs and crunchy vegetables.  I never thought I would see a food truck inside an office building, but that’s exactly where I worked on Tuesday – inside that truck, making bubble tea and serving dessert.  My last three days were spent in three different kitchens prepping lots of veggies, meats and seafood that would become some of the most delicious and beautiful dishes I have ever seen. 

Google wants the best for their employees, and that includes maintaining their health.  RA uses the best ingredients, many organic and some that I had never seen.  When I was given a large container of carrots to peel, I was amazed to see the different color varieties.  I had been using purple potatoes for years, but purple carrots?  Who knew?  The chefs design their menus to provide a wide variety of options, each of top restaurant quality, presented beautifully and tasting wonderful.  In addition, they use an extensive labeling system to alert the Googlers of any possible allergens. 

As soon as you exit the elevator you realize that Google doesn't look like any other office building you've been in. Creativity oozes from its walls, literally.  The walls are white boards where Googlers can write or draw a thought that someone else may find inspiring, there are activities to keep the creative juices flowing.  A hydrated Googler is a productive Googler.  Googlers never walk far to get to one of the thirty plus themed micro-kitchens throughout the building. Each kitchen has a large variety of beverages, fresh fruit, cheeses, healthy snacks and some less healthy goodies.  The healthy snacks are displayed in clear glass jars, while the less healthy options are in closed containers.   One day you may stop by the LEGO micro-kitchen to get some M & M’s out of the LEGO head jars, and the next you may stop at the Ms. Pac Man micro-kitchen to get a beverage and an apple.

It’s an overwhelming task to keep six cafes, numerous micro-kitchens, and various catering events working as flawlessly as they do.  The entire RA staff does an incredible job.  They think outside the box and take advantage of the newest technology to bring the Googlers the finest dining experience possible.   I look forward to sharing my experiences with my students.

If you are a CTE culinary teacher and are interested in participating in an externship at Google this year please reach out to Sari David, Associate Director of Industry Engagement, at Sdavid5@schools.nyc.gov to learn more.