Campus Highlight: Hospitality and Nourishment with Katrina and Chris
At Moreno Valley College (MVC), Food Services supports campus hospitality by connecting students and employees to nourishing meals. Whether crafting the perfect cup of coffee at the Coffee Cub or preparing fresh meals at the Lion’s Den Café, the Food Services team elevates the College’s dining experience.
Food Services has fed the College community at the Lion’s Den Café for nearly two decades. In 2014, their services expanded to include a full-service coffee bar in the Student Academic Services building, which offers tea, espresso and drip coffee. The team also supports on-campus catering, ensuring that events and programs have high quality food for attendees.
The Food Service team consists of classified professionals and a retinue of enthusiastic student workers led by their team’s assistant manager. Two such notable individuals are Katrina Bunting and Chris Ferrell, dedicated classified leaders known for their dedication, passion, and teamwork. Their unique backgrounds and expertise have enriched the Mountain Lion dining experience for over 10 years.
Bunting’s journey in the food industry started at MVC in 2012 as a student worker. By 2015, she advanced to being a classified employee and continued to grow her catering expertise. Bunting, who has been passionate about baking since she was six, loves creating desserts for family and friends. Her passion for the culinary arts and for sharing her creations is evident in her work at MVC, and her cookies, scones, muffins and other sweets are sought-after treats.
Ferrell’s love for food began early, having sold Pampered Chef products alongside his mother at age 11. By 15, he was working in the food industry, and by 18, he transitioned to professional cooking in high-end restaurants and hotels. Ferrell later ran his own catering and private chef business. Now in his 12th year at MVC, Ferrell continues to apply his culinary knowledge, customer service skills, and delivering quality meals. Some of his popular dishes include homestyle mac’n’cheese, deli sandwiches, and sauced wings.
Bunting and Ferrell are also essential to college initiatives. They lead the training efforts for Food Services student employees, help carry out campus catering orders, and contribute to a collaborative effort with MVC’s Basic Needs program to provide meals for students facing food insecurity through the Lion’s Choice menu. Their assistance in offering affordable, nutritious food has led to a healthier campus, closed equity gaps by ensuring students have access to affordable meals, and continue to reinforce the College’s commitment to student and employee well-being.
Majd Askar, vice president of business services, praised their efforts, saying, “They represent the best of what we stand for and remind us how teamwork can uplift our entire community. Their commitment is integral to our college dining experience.”
Katrina Bunting and Chris Ferrell, along with the entire Food Services team, play a vital role in shaping Moreno Valley College into a welcoming place to learn, grow and thrive. The Lion’s Den Café and Coffee Cub are open daily during each academic term, though hours vary.