Seawolf Dining serves up fresh new leadership
by Michelle Saport |
Staff changes at UAA dining are set to kick-off the 2019-20 fall semester at UAA with dynamic changes in the leadership of the dining management team. Food services at UAA are managed by NMS, a minority-owned food service provider based in Alaska under a partnership of NANA and Sodexo.
General Manager: Chef Matt Little Dog NMS is pleased to announce that Chef Matt Little Dog has accepted the position of general manager of UAA Seawolf Dining. Chef Little Dog's new responsibilities include managing the operations team, providing oversight for new concept development and offerings in the campus's many coffee shops and restaurants.
Chef Little Dog joined NMS in 2014 as Executive Chef of Seawolf Dining at Creekside. His most recent position was as the general manager of the Alaska Airlines Center overseeing all food production for the Varsity Sports Grill and concessions. With a long history in food service, Chef Little Dog's interest in the culinary arts began at a very young age washing dishes in his parent's restaurant. He soon became the restaurant's baker (at the young age of ten), rising early to prepare the baked goods served for the day. He came to Anchorage in 1997 serving as executive chef at some of Anchorage finest dining establishments and hotels before coming to NMS.
Executive Chef: Bridger Bates NMS is pleased to announce that Chef Bridger Bates has accepted the position of executive chef of Seawolf Dining. As executive chef, Bates is responsible for food quality, menu development, catering, and overseeing the talented culinary team at Creekside Eatery.
Chef Bates joined NMS in 2015 as the head cook at Caliente, a scratch-made burrito concept in the Student Union, before taking the position of Sous Chef at Creekside Eatery a year later. A long-time culinary professional, Bates specialty is Italian cuisine and preparing fresh (never frozen) and locally sourced vegetables. He sees Seawolf Dining as a culinary adventure and enjoys sharing food experiences with students from cuisines around the world.
"Bringing together the management and culinary talents of chefs Little Dog and Bridger to lead the dining services program has created a truly inspirational team," observed Derrell Webb, vice president of operations for food and facilities management for NMS. "Both chefs will provide excellent training and guidance to staff, accompanied by truly great food and services for the university. "With chefs Little Dog and Bridger at the helm, students, faculty and visitors can look forward to exciting changes in UAA dining services throughout the year, with a wide variety of programs and meal selections to choose from.