In What’s cooking at Ferncliff?
We are delighted to have Chef John Spears at the helm of Ferncliff’s kitchen! John brings over 20 years of quality food service experience to our dining hall. He has served as head chef at hotels and restaurants in numerous states, and his experience will continue to make our food service exceptional. John shares our enthusiasm of giving Ferncliff’s food a fresh, new twist and is passionate about guest satisfaction. “I just like quality,” he says, “it’s very important to me and important that guests know that we strive to go above and beyond when it comes to food.”
We look forward to sharing this quality with all who gather at the table at Ferncliff.
Food service serves a key role at any conference or retreat. Sharing a meal together, quite literally breaking bread, is such an important event that fosters meaningful connection and cooperation among those gathered at the table. Whether you’re with colleagues, old friends, or mere acquaintances, there is something uniquely special about the fellowship that takes place around a meal. This fellowship and sense of community is undeniably important in camp and conference ministry – which is why we are committed to offering food service that exceeds expectations.
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- Cheese Platter
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- Coconut Cream Cake
So let’s meet the chef: John Spears talks food
Q) What made you want to become a chef?
A) “I think I’ve just always known! I started working in the food industry in high school and got to train with a chef. When I got done with school, I knew what I wanted to do; I wanted to do food.”
Q) What is new with Ferncliff’s food?
A) “We’re trying to get away from processed, heavy foods and move towards fresh, lighter options. I like keeping tabs on what’s trending in food and making sure we can offer those options.”
Q) What do you want people to know about Ferncliff’s food?
“I think people worry that they won’t be able to get the food they want when they’re traveling or at a conference due to allergies or dietary restrictions. But at Ferncliff, I want people to know that we can accommodate those needs. If you’re a vegetarian or vegan, or seeking low-fat, gluten-free, or sugar-free options, we’ll have something for you. We also offer a lot of options at every meal. There are always several options on the hot bar, as well as a cold bar and salad station.”
Q) What’s your favorite thing to cook?
A) “Barbeque. Definitely barbeque. I studied it for years and love making my own rubs and sauces. I have a custom smoker at home and just love making barbeque.”
Q) What’s your favorite campfire meal?
A) “Chicken pot pie or chocolate cherry cobbler in the dutch oven. When I first started working here, I was so excited to implement some new dutch oven recipes when camp is in session.”
Next time you’re at Ferncliff, we hope you’ll join us for a meal! You can read more about Ferncliff’s food service here.
