Chef Terri Hutter served as Inter-Faith Food Shuttle’s Executive Chef for eighteen years, from during which she brought her strength, passions, and generosity of spirit to bear in service to the community. During that time, hundreds of Culinary Job Training students benefited, not only from her skill in the kitchen, but from her way of being in the world.
To honor Terri Hutter’s legacy and recognize those among the Food Shuttle staff who continue to embody her drive and spirit, the Chef Terri Award was created. The award is presented to a team member who “owns the mission” of the Food Shuttle, demonstrates that “compassion means action,” and is a consistent “builder of people.” This year’s Chef Terri Award was recently awarded to Kay Holloway.
Kay, a Warehouse Associate at the Food Shuttle, was nominated by multiple co-workers for the honor. He was recognized as someone who “always provides a helping hand when needed. He makes sure that all needs are met for our community and the populations we serve.” His reputation for commitment to the Food Shuttle’s mission is well-known throughout the organization. “It is easy to see how much ownership Kay takes of the mission and his role in it. His positive energy is 100% infectious - you just can't help but smile when you cross paths with him.”
Kay Holloway, Jill Staton Bullard, and Younes Alsoqe
And it is Kay’s deep connection with his teammate Younes Alsoqe that has touched the hearts of all his fellow staff members. Younes, a Syrian refugee, came to the Food Shuttle through Lutheran Services Carolinas. He started working at the warehouse, speaking no English, but Kay took him under his wing and the two became fast friends and workmates. “As a builder of people--this is where Kay stands out the most - which is saying a lot, given the quality of effort he brings to the Malone Center every day. It’s the way he has bonded with Younes and has gone the extra mile to make him feel a part of this mission and helped him settle into life into a totally different country. It reminds me so much of the story Jill Bullard tells about the first time she met Terri. Terri was in the kitchen at the Washington Duke Inn. Jill was just there for a pickup; She saw Terri working with one of the kitchen staff who clearly spoke no English and Terri spoke no Spanish. The language barrier just wasn’t an issue, Terri found a way to coach him on what she needed him to do, like it was the most natural thing in the world. That's Kay and Younes today, decades later. I didn't know Terri personally, but I have a feeling she'd watch Kay with Younes with a smile and give him a nod of approval.
Community Garden Coordinator Laura Maule, Information Technology and Reporting Director Ron Ross, and Senior Director of Food Recovery and Distribution Joe Johnson were also recognized with nominations for the Chef Terri Award at the October 4 Staff Meeting presentation.
Bri Milot & Laura Maule
Ron Ross & Kara Guido
Joe Johnson & Mary Janovsky