Hot Soup

Chef+Robert+stirs+hot+soup+in+the+WHBHS+cafeteria+on+a+sunny+day+in+early+May

Chef Robert stirs hot soup in the WHBHS cafeteria on a sunny day in early May

Warm new scents in the kitchen or Chris Durst’s victory yell echoing in the hallways: you don’t have to look far to see that WHB’s cafeteria is serving soup again. The soup was discontinued by the cafeteria staff around the beginning of May. However, the students petitioned successfully to bring it back. Some students and teachers were jubilant at the return of the soup, but some reserved doubts about the wisdom of the decision.

 

“The only reason we stopped serving soup,” says Mr. Walcott, director of the district’s cafeterias, “is because it was starting to become unfit for the season.” May, anyone would agree, is not usually listed under Soup-Serving Months in the Long Island Almanac. Instead, Mr. Walcott wanted to focus on more seasonally appropriate cold foods and possibly a salad bar.

 

However, the petition has changed everything. Shortly after soup was removed from the cafeteria menu, senior Chris Durst and his fellow soup-lovers started collecting signatures for their noble cause under the banner of “Bring Back The Soup.” The petition gained traction easily, and once enough signatures had accumulated, it was presented to Mr. Walcott. “I love the petition,” says Mr. Walcott, “It’s a great way to build a positive connection between the cafeteria and the students.” Mr. Hilly, who teaches economics and political science, agrees. “I think it’s perfectly acceptable for students to exercise their right to free speech,” he says. “It’s also not the first time it’s been done,” Mr. Walcott explains. The elementary schoolers have petitioned several times in the past, asking for stuffed-crust pizza, stuffed shells, and even calzones.

 

Of course, there are critics of the soup. As much as the soup may be, they say, there have got to be some drawbacks. “I personally don’t meddle with soups and other liquid foods,” says freshman Mikaela Smith, “but I would assume that cooking soup makes the air in the kitchen a lot hotter and heavier.” Many teachers and even some other students share this opinion. Mr. Walcott, however, dismisses these concerns with a smile. “That’s all hogwash,” he says, “A lot of the other food items we serve are baked or cooked. As long as the ovens and stoves are on, making a little soup won’t hurt anyone.”