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In large nutrition programs, consistency and communication are everything. With 186 kitchens and over 900 nutrition employees, Sandi Coast Cafe recognized the need for a more streamlined way to manage food quality, recipe questions, and equipment concerns across sites.
In response, our dedicated Systems Development Coordinator, Jason Brown, partnered with Chef Juan Zamorano, the Food Service Program Specialist to develop a centralized digital tool designed specifically for the realities of school food service operations. By combining digital tools with hands-on culinary experience, the team is creating a practical solution that addresses day-to-day challenges in three core areas: Food quality management, recipe assistance, and cooking equipment solutions.
Supporting Food Quality at Scale
This new app will empower staff to monitor and uphold the highest standards of food quality across all Sandi Coast Cafe kitchens. Features include real-time feedback and solutions to food quality issues, as well as easy access to quality guidelines that ensure every meal meets our program’s exceptional standards.The goal is simple: ensure every meal meets program expectations, regardless of location.
Real Time Recipe Support
With an extensive library of recipes at their fingertips, users can easily resolve any culinary questions they encounter. The app serves as a resource for proper ingredient substitutions, cooking techniques, and portion sizes, yielding questions promoting consistency and creativity in the kitchen.
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Cooking Equipment Troubleshooting Made Easier
To enhance operational efficiency, the app will provide help with a troubleshooting resource for common cooking equipment problems. Staff can quickly find solutions, enabling them to keep their kitchens running smoothly, minimizing downtime, and maintaining quality service.
The project also reflects a broader collaborative effort, with input from Mary Tyranski, Menu Systems Development Dietitian, and Robin Brennan, Quality Control Production Specialist. Together, the team is working to strengthen communication, improve visibility into trends, and provide actionable support to school sites.
At its core, this initiative is about more than technology — it’s about empowering kitchen teams with the tools and information they need to succeed. Sandi Coast Cafe is committed to innovation and providing nutritious meals that students enjoy, staff takes pride in, and our community celebrates for its excellence.