A Taste of Home
Many athletic events are defined by the fierce competition on the court, but at this year’s USA Games, some of the most unforgettable moments happened at the dining tables. For the M Food Co. and Chartwells teams, food became the ultimate bridge — turning mealtime conversations into lifelong memories and transforming bitter border rivals into unexpected friends.
A whole lot of Aloha
It all started with a casual chat with Team Hawaii. The athletes mentioned their deep love for SPAM and their pure excitement about competing in Minnesota — the proud birthplace of the legendary canned meat.
Hearing this, our dining team ran with the idea. Chef Justin sprang into action, whipping up a special meal of savory SPAM fried rice. He didn’t stop there; he connected with Chartwells’ corporate partner, Hormel, to secure an array of SPAM swag for the athletes.
The gesture sparked a beautiful cultural exchange. Touched by the hospitality, Team Hawaii shared precious pieces of their home with our crew, gifting Chef Justin and other dining team members traditional Kukui nut leis, uka shell necklaces and the coveted Hawaii Special Olympics pin.
By that point, our M Food Co. and Chartwells teams were fully invested. They showed up in the stands, screaming their hearts out to cheer Team Hawaii all the way through to their gold medal in basketball. When the Hawaiian team officially clinched the gold, they rushed back to the dining hall to celebrate the win. It was a full-circle moment defined by connection, celebration and a whole lot of Aloha.
Melting a border rivalry
While Team Hawaii brought the warmth of the islands, Team Wisconsin brought a taste of America’s Dairyland — and a chance to test a classic Midwestern rivalry.
Minnesota and Wisconsin are usually known for being bitter rivals, but Team Wisconsin gave us a reason to set that aside for the week. The athletes hadn’t asked for any special treatment, but Chartwells’ director of operations, Luke, knew exactly how to make them feel at home. Because his girlfriend’s family is from Wisconsin and was already traveling to volunteer at the USA Games, Luke made an executive call: Bring fresh, authentic Wisconsin cheese curds across the border.
When Luke surprised the team with delivery, the room absolutely erupted. The group posed for a photo, with the entire squad screaming “CHEESE CURDS!” at the top of their lungs.
After Luke gave the athletes a few lighthearted jabs about being deep in Minnesota Vikings country, something magical happened. The entire Wisconsin team started chanting “SKOL” — the iconic Vikings battle cry. Somewhere between the squeaky cheese curds, the playful banter and cheering the team on during their gold medal run in volleyball, Team Wisconsin officially captured our hearts.
Last night dance party
Finally, nothing brings a taste of home like a good 'ol fashioned dance party. On the last night of the Games, just before closing ceremonies, dinner turned into a full-on dance party. The Sky Lakes catering team worked with Karon, our Director of Retail, who also happens to have a DJ company, to give the teams one more big moment together. And they flipped out — literally. One gymnast from Illinois even did a backflip on stage. There was a dance battle, impromptu karaoke and the Florida team in a full kick line singing “Sweet Caroline.” Minnesota staff, volunteers, the dining team and even the Coca-Cola team all joined in too, singing along and soaking up one of the final moments of the week. After eight long days of service, it was the kind of ending everyone needed: loud, joyful, a little chaotic and completely unforgettable.
Photos and storylines courtesy of Chartwells Higher Education.