“I can talk and work,” said Chef Shawn Miller. Miller has been cooking at Kitchen Classics in the Student Union at the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse for three years. When asked what he enjoys about his work he said, “I like to interact with people… Keeps my memory going cause I have to…”

“Yeah, he has no memory,” said Miller’s coworker jokingly.

​“Yeah right. That’s why I know their names and what they eat and when it’s going. Yeah, no memory… Even after the summer, I remember,” said Miller.

“He really does,” agreed the UWL student waiting in line for his sandwich.

Before working in the Student Union, Miller was immersed in a different dining culture. “I’ve known Rob for a long time, the head chef. He got me to come over here finally,” said Miller. “Rob and I opened up the Waterfront back in ’06. I worked my way up to head chef there for a few years…it was fun doing the food, but not the hours.”

Miller explained that he came close to owning The Waterfront but is ultimately happy where he has ended up. His children attend the on-campus daycare and Miller acknowledged that he, “would rather interact with students than people with money.” #humansofuwl