Matt Freese ’17: Despite the rigorous academic schedule, accomplished drama club, and renowned athletic program, Episcopal Academy is best known for its chicken patties. This year, however, it is no secret that EA’s cafeteria is striving to offer healthier options with a salad bar and fresh sandwich station. To further improve upon the healthiness of the kitchen, the Cafeteria staff has now decided to alter one slight thing about its menu: the chicken. Instead of being made of chicken, the famous chicken patties will now be made of 100% fresh tofu beginning on February 9th. Tofu looks very similar to chicken, and the patties will be served with soy sauce, mashed potatoes, and organic corn.
Photo courtesy of Maangchi Recipes
Some students may not receive this change well. Becca Archambault ‘16 explained that currently chicken patties “consist of juicy, flavorful chicken meat covered in crispy, golden brown breading, fried to perfection.” This entrée used to come with mashed potatoes, gravy, and corn. When asked about this lunch combination, Woodrow Nimoityn ‘15 stated that it is “one of my favorite school lunches not only because of the chicken patties, but also because of the gravy and mashed potatoes that are served with it.”
To further demonstrate her love of the current patties, Archambault also stated that “I often find out by word of mouth around the hallways sometime after activity period that it is supposedly chicken patties for lunch. On such days I start to plan my escape from the period before lunch as soon as I hear the news so that I can beat my fellow excited classmates to the line. This has been the case ever since 6th grade when I arrived at EA, having already heard the legend of the chicken patty.”
Andrew Levine, Lower School teacher, stated that his class’s present feelings towards the chicken patties is “like when you walk into a candy store and you are allowed to get whatever you want.” However, after being asked what he thinks his class’ reaction to the tofu patties will be, he responded, “Can you say a sequel to The Lord of the Flies?”
Changing from chicken patties to tofu patties will be extremely momentous for Episcopal, yet hopefully the students will understand that health comes before taste.