Praising the Good-To-Go chocolate muffins in all their glory, greatness, deliciousness
This is the opinion of Hanna Sobhani, CSB senior
My first year, as I sped walked from Corona to catch the early Link to Alcuin, my mind wasn’t on the FYS paper I had to turn in before class but the crisp-topped, moist-centered chocolate muffin from Good-To-Go. During my first two years at CSB/SJU, I would reward myself with that heavenly chocolate muffin after a long morning or use it as motivation when I knew it was time to grind.
Now, I am across the world studying abroad in Athens, and all I can think about is how incomplete I will feel if, come my senior spring, I cannot use my flex to buy the Good-To-Go chocolate muffin. A body cannot be without its bread (sorry gluten-free people). The absence of the chocolate muffin concerns us, the CSB/SJU students, who care about the freedom to choose delicious food options.
It has not been too long that I cannot remember the indisputable excellence of the chocolate muffin. The freshly baked muffin had a variety of textures. The top of the muffin was crisp and complemented the delightfully rich, soft interior. It is impossible to exaggerate the flavor of this muffin. It was so delicious, I felt like I was discovering muffins for the first time. The culinary staff was not stingy with the portions either. The muffin was a good bang for your buck as it was large enough to replace your breakfast.
The chocolate muffin was an absolute treat every time, and its execution was always on point. Now, what was once one of the best culinary services in the country has narrowed our to-go bakery options to lemon poppy seed bread and plain bagels. If you want to upset me even more, compare the Gorecki chocolate muffins to those sold at the Schu (no further comment).
By removing the best menu item from Good-To-Go, our administration is hypocritical of their “Strategic Directions 2020” statement. This document discusses the mission and vision of CSB/SJU to meet the needs and aspirations of the student body. The statement measures student satisfaction based on academic experience and achievement, social experience, and highlights the extensive programs provided on athletic excellence and wellness.
Yet, I saw no mention of food satisfaction. Is what we eat on campus not a significant part of our student satisfaction? Our administration demonstrated immense hypocrisy by claiming to work to meet students’ needs and aspirations while disregarding our experience with culinary services.
The disrespect of this decision presents itself when you compare our menu options to what we pay for food. If you break down the Continuous Meal Plan, it costs around $26 a day for food. Am I really supposed to assume that our institution does not have the means to continue producing six chocolate muffins every day? I find it deceitful that the CSB Culinary Services website page claims to have, and I quote, “so many options” when in reality, CSB does not recognize our paid-for right to diverse food choices. Our school cannot claim to provide a well-rounded experience if it does not acknowledge our appetite for staple baked goods.
As emotionally draining as I find this argument, I know the legacy of the chocolate muffin and its exquisite taste is something worth recognizing. Baked delicacies with such a variety of textures and tasteful sensations do not come by often.
The muffin’s excellence is why its removal demonstrates hypocrisy and shows a lack of respect for students. As you move forward, I hope that whenever you walk by Good-To-Go, you remember the best chocolate muffin there ever was, and in a deeper sense, understand what its absence costs you.