When Life Gives You Lemons

"Heather Elke wins the Tray Blazers Award at Maple River"

(Heather Ehlke received her award and personalized Wheaties box from General Mills regional manager Stephen Martel.)

Serving 1,200 meals daily, month after month, and year after year, could grow tedious for some, but not for Heather Ehlke, the 2023 Tray Blazer Award recipient. Maple River’s head cook received the General Mills award after her nomination from kitchen staff members Jennifer Strehlo and Shellie Berndt.  According to the award parameters, Ehlke showed dedication to K-12 students through proper nutrition, great dining options, and helping students to make smart choices, but in truth, she does far more than that at Maple River.

According to Jennifer Strehlo, a fourteen year veteran in the cafeteria,  Ehlke is “an inspiration to me” and showcased her leadership skills during the challenging transition from three kitchens to a brand new untested facility. Strehlo explained, “From the struggles of moving into the new building and the equipment issues, everyone deserves that recognition. I felt that this was a really good way…to highlight her leadership qualities and how easy she is to interact with.” These sentiments were echoed by another veteran in the kitchen, Shellie Berndt, who credited Ehlke with “the opportunity of a job opening up at Maple River was just perfect timing so I could grow up with my kids and be a part of their life and school experience. Being able to come in and work with this great group of people is just awesome.”

Ehlke’s early experiences in the kitchen began at 16 when she began working at a cafe and expanded into the catering business and experience at the St. Peter Regional Treatment Center working with hungry teenagers. After graduating with a degree in Hotel and Restaurant Management from South Central Technical College, she found employment at Maple River in November of 1996. 

With the predictability of daily meal preparation, Elhlke embraces the unexpected. From catering 120 students attending a leadership conference to running meals down to the Eagle’s Nest, she sees it as a group effort to supply the needs not only of the school but also the community. This unsung hero had no idea what “unexpected challenges” would come during the big move, but her ability to embrace the unexpected helped bring four head cooks with different styles together. “Everyone has a strength and a weakness,” Ehlke explained, and despite the challenges of last year (don’t bring up freezers), her team maintained its professionalism since they “all had to work together” to find a way through each day. From Chipotle buffets and ramen bowls to giving Jackson Walters a hard time, Ehlke’s contagious joy in her job makes her a true Tray Blazer. 

(Originally Published with the Maple River Messenger).