Abeer Alzubi, Free From IX Cook's Helper
As a cook's assistant in the Free From IX concept at McNutt Dining Hall, Abeer gets to do what she loves every day: interact with and support IU students.
"It brings me joy to serve students by sharing my love of food and cooking each day," Abeer said.
To keep students with food allergies safe, Abeer completed AllerTrain Lite Certification alongside a dozen fellow IU Dining staff members, learning about the nine major food allergens, celiac disease, and emergency protocols. While the Free From IX station caters to those will food allergies, it is open to all diners in the space.
Born in Jordan in Southwest Asia, in the rocky desert of the northern Arabian Peninsula, Abeer moved to Bloomington in 2006, joining the staff at IU in 2012.
Q: What led you to Bloomington and to IU?
A: My husband is from Chicago. After we met there and were married, we came to Bloomington and both were initially teachers. I still teach Arabic online for IU’s foreign language studies department, which offers over 80 languages! I enjoy it because my dad is from Jordan, where Arabic is spoken. I also speak some French.
Q: What does a typical day look like in your world?
A: I come in at 6 a.m. to prepare menu items for breakfast and lunch. The food at Free From IX is all prepared safely by specially trained staff who cook dishes without use of the top nine most common allergens: dairy, wheat, soy, eggs, peanuts, tree nuts, sesame, fish, and shellfish. Later in the day, I prepare dinner. I am thankful to be entrusted to work in the allergen-free station.
Q: What do you wish people knew about Free From IX that they might not know?
A: Anyone can enjoy the food at Free From IX! Our smoothies are made fresh each morning and our lentil penne is delicious.
Q: What are some of your favorite dishes from childhood?
A: My favorite dish from Jordan is kebabs. I make them for my three children occasionally. I have two sons and one daughter. My son is in grade school and my older kids are in high school. One of my daughters enjoys working at McNutt as a weekend server for IU Dining. She loves to cook. I am happy to share my kebob recipe sometime, as it has been made in my family for years. My other favorite dish I grew up with is lentils and rice. It is healthy and the lentils are made with flavorful spices.
Q: What are the most popular dishes at Free From IX?
A: Chicken and rice are popular favorites, as is chicken salad with avocados and vegetables. Avocados serve as a great alternative to mayo for those with allergies to soy and egg.
Q: What do you most like about your work at Free From IX in McNutt?
A: I appreciate our general manager, Josh Garrett, and Chef Darren. They are both supportive, open to new ideas, and fun to work with. I love to be welcoming to students and make sure they feel safe and comfortable eating here.