COCC faculty’s favorite holiday meals

As the late holiday season approaches at Central Oregon Community College, the anticipation of cherished traditions and celebrations begins to fill the air. Amongst the flurry of exams and year-end activities, students and staff alike look forward to indulging in their favorite festive foods, drinks, and treats.

To capture the spirit of this season, we reached out to members of the COCC community to share their beloved holiday indulgences. Below is a delightful assortment of their culinary favorites, each one a testament to the warmth and joy that holiday gatherings bring.

Billy McClain (Daytime Custodian; Evening shift with Sodexo)
Favorite holiday food: Candied Yams, Green beans with ham hocks and bacon, smoked ham; Carnished Hens and  broccoli. Dr. Pepper and Grape Kool Aid
Hope Guyton (Associates in Art and Design; Cashier and Catering for Sodexo)
Favorite holiday food: Steamed broccoli, yorkshire pudding and cranberry and strawberry lemonade.
Daniel Bonnett (Associates in Meteorology; Aspiring Commercials Airplane Pilot at Leading Edge Aviation Program)
Favorite holiday food: Mashed Potatoes and Pumpkin Pie
Atlas Baker (Catering Assistant for Sodexo)
Favorite holiday food: Candy cane Brownies
Naleena Srivastava (Associates in Business Management)
Favorite holiday food: Christmas Crack
Jonathon Ryan Bruce (Transfer Degree in Psychology)
Favorite holiday food: Stuffing and bread
Vernon Jackson Smith (Computer Information Science; student technology assistant at help desk)
Favorite holiday food: Sweet Potato Casserole
Misael Itinojosa (Computer Information Science; student technology assistant at help desk)
Favorite holiday food: Carnea Asada and 1940 Don Julio
Rebecca Ramos (Assistant Professor in the Mathematics department)
Favorite holiday food: Pumpkin Pie
Matthew Sloss (Math Tutor)
Favorite holiday food: Peanut butter cookies with a chocolate kiss in the middle
Becky Plassman (Math Tutor)
Favorite holiday food: Pumpkin Pie
Amelia Smutz (Associates in Business Administration)
Favorite holiday food: Dinner Rolls
Ryann Paulsen (Associates of General Studies)
Favorite holiday food: Macaroni and cheese
Michael Balzotti (Professional Pilot Fixed Wing)
Favorite holiday food: Homemade Cranberry Sauce
“Goggles” (Associates of Engineering in Applied Science)
Favorite holiday food: Hot Cranberry Cider
Pete Foley (Unmanned Aerial Systems; Unmanned Aerial Vehicle Program)
Favorite holiday food: Stuffing
Cindy Lee (Administration Assistant)
Favorite holiday food: Green Bean Casserole, Sweet potatoes and Pumpkin Pie
Steve Cronin (Part-Time Instructor)
Favorite holiday food: Hot Apple Cider, Pumpkin Pie and Stuffing
Kyleigh Winchester (Enrollment Technical Specialist)
Favorite holiday food: Mashed Potatoes and Twice Baked Potatoes
Lisa Chitwood (Enrollment and Welcome Associate)
Favorite holiday food: Homemade Cranberry Relish and Ham
Cat Gardener (Administrative Assistant for Campus Services)
Favorite holiday food: Cakes and Pies
Aidan Crosson (Exploratory Degree)
Favorite holiday food: Turkey and Pumpkin Pie
Joe Sampson (Fitness Attendant)
Favorite holiday food: Turkey and Ham with mashed potatoes
Isabella Osborne (Elementary Education)
Favorite holiday food: Stuffing and Sweet Potatoes
Gladys Alf Rippee (Transfer Degree in Wildlife Biology)
Favorite holiday food: Jello with mandarins
Joanna Fiest (Sales Associate at the Coats Market)
Favorite holiday food: Homemade Cranberry Sauce and stuffing
Devon Smith (Pre-Medicine)
Favorite holiday food: Rassmul (Indian Cuisine)
Lawson Schelske (Exploratory Degree)
Favorite holiday food: Stuffing and Ham with cherries and pineapples
Morgan Mattox (Fire Science)
Favorite holiday food: Mash Potatoes and Gravy
Gene Soto (Executive Chef with Sodexo)
Favorite holiday food: Dressings and Mashed Potatoes with Gravy
Hannah Oliver (Lead Library Assistant)
Favorite holiday food: Green Bean Casserole and Bread Rolls
Jamie Rougeux (Director of Disability Services)
Favorite holiday food: Sweet Potatoes and Green Bean Casserole
Miranda Brooks (Assistant Director of Disability Services)
Favorite holiday food: Charcuterie Board (fun ones with sugar)
Jackie Kuzio-Williford (Tutoring and Testing)
Favorite holiday food: Sausage Stuffing (made by friend) and Gravy (made by husband) and Cheesecake
Trish Kroker (Math Tutor)
Favorite holiday food: “It’s not Thanksgiving without Green Bean Casserole”
Miah Flores (Nursing Degree)
Favorite holiday food: Green Bean Casserole
Ryan Crouter (Bookstore Floor Lead)
Favorite holiday food: Macaroni and cheese, Mash n’ Gravy, and Cranberry Jello
Andrea Comer (Bookstore Staff and Student taking an art class)
Favorite holiday food: Macaroni and cheese and Turkey
Sye Kutcha (Automotive Master Tech)
Favorite holiday food: Pepper Jelly and cream cheese with toasted wheat thins
Milo Ruddell (Automotive Master Tech)
Favorite holiday food: Smashed Potatoes and Pecan Pie
Seth Johnson (Adult Basics Skills Director)
Favorite holiday food: Pecan Pie with Homemade Vanilla Ice Cream
Macy Lawrence (Part-Time Business Instructor)
Favorite holiday food: Stuffing and Gravy with Turkey
Kelly Chong (Associates in Business Administration)
Favorite holiday food: Special Hot Chocolate
Kevin Riveria (Associates in Business Administration)
Favorite holiday food: Tamales
Kinley Blusteffen (Associates in Business Administration)
Favorite holiday food: Pies and Apple Cider
Raymond Salinas [Computer Information Science; ASCOCC (student government)]
Favorite holiday food: Green Chicken Enchiladas
Betsy Green (Exploratory Degree)
Favorite holiday food: Sparkling Apple Cider
Lizzie Mullins (Transfer Degree in Psychology, specifically music therapy)
Favorite holiday food: Eggnog and Snickerdoodle cookies
Toni Hernandez (Transfer Degree in Psychology)
Favorite holiday food: Tamales, Enchiladas, Stuffing, mashed potatoes and gravy, and Agua frescas specifically Tamarindo