Joan Quinn

Greetings to all Ellington’s Guests! I’m Joan Quinn, and I’m the instructor for FCNS 320, Quantity Food Production and Service, which is the academic class behind Ellington’s. I’ve been teaching this class for over 20 years, and it has evolved a lot along the way. Way back when, we prepared and served an all-you-can-eat buffet in the Chandelier Room in Adams Hall. However, due to the growth in our program (Nutrition, Dietetics and Hospitality Administrative), we outgrew that facility. Fortunately, Holmes Student Center was kind enough to invite us to use the facility known as The Pheasant Room as our quantity foods lab. We made the move to HSC in 2006 and we renamed the facility “Ellington’s” in Fall, 2007. I personally love menu planning, love cooking, and really enjoy working with the students in the class. It can be challenging at times- for we have a new menu and staff every day we serve- but it is incredibly rewarding to see how much students’ progress within a semester. So, welcome to Ellington’s for a great semester of very exciting menus and service!

Terri Mann-Lamb

Welcome to Ellington’s! I’m Terri Mann-Lamb, and I am the Food Admin II for FCNS 320, I purchase food for several of the labs associated with the CHHS & Ellington’s. I have been working with the students for over 13 years. I also work for the HSC part time. Previous work experience included working in country clubs, fine dining, U.S. Army and the Marriott Hotels before coming to work for NIU. I have my own catering business, and enjoy spending time with my 3 granddaughters. I hail from the East Coast and love the ocean, reading and creating special menu’s for in home personal chef meals. Come in and sit down and enjoy a meal or two at Ellington’s, you won’t regret it.

Hannah Tower

Welcome! My name is Hannah Tower and I am one of the Graduate Assistants for FCNS 320.  I am originally from the Minneapolis, MN area and completed my undergraduate degree at Concordia College in Moorhead, MN.  This is my first year in the Dietetic Internship/Graduate School program and my second semester with FCNS 320.  I am very excited to be back with this class and am greatly looking forward to working with the students and seeing what great menus they produce!

Annie Weber

Welcome to Ellington’s! My name is Annie Weber and I am a Graduate Assistant for FCNS 320. I received my Bachelor’s Degree in Nutrition & Dietetics at the University of New Mexico in Albuquerque, my home town, before coming to NIU for the dietetic internship and graduate school. This is my second semester working as a GA for FCNS 320 and I am excited to be able to assist the students in this unique setting. I look forward to the great menus offered and an overall enjoyable semester!

Calvin Leong

Hello, my name is Calvin Leong. I am currently a graduate student in the nutrition and dietetics program. I absolutely love everything that has to do with food. I love to see how pieces can come together and create a unique dining experience. This is my first semester working at Ellington’s.  I am excited to have this opportunity to work alongside the staff and students in providing a great food and dining experience to all of our customers. Hope you will enjoy the your experience at Ellington’s!

Brittany Hoffman

Hello! My name is Brittany Hoffman and I am currently a senior studying Nutrition and Dietetics here at NIU. I will be graduating this May and I cannot wait to further my education and become a registered dietitian. I love working for Ellington’s as one of the lab’s teaching assistants. Helping the students succeed in this course is very rewarding, especially since I was just in their shoes last year. I love cooking and getting to taste the wide variety of unique cuisine that if offered at Ellington’s. I am looking forward to another semester full of fun and exciting things. I hope to see you dine with us!

Ariel Levitt

Hello, my name is Ariel Levitt. I am currently a senior in the nutrition and dietetics program at NIU and I look forward to graduating this May. I love being in the kitchen, experimenting with different flavors and creating delicious food. I also really enjoy helping others succeed by teaching them things that I learned by taking this class. This is my first semester as a TA for the quantity foods lab and I can’t wait to serve you!

Madelaine Dickinson

Hello Ellington’s Guests! My name is Madelaine Dickinson and I am a senior in the Nutrition and Dietetics at Northern Illinois University. I work as the student secretary for the FCNS 320 and catering and food preparation classes in the FCNS department at NIU. This is my second semester on staff for Ellington’s and I am really enjoying all that I am learning while working in this position. I am passionate about food, nutrition, and helping people and plan to become an RD with a Master’s in Nutrition and Clinical Health Psychology. I want to work with clients who have special needs such as food allergies, autoimmune disease, or emotional disorders. I am excited for what this semester holds at Ellington’s. As always, it will be a semester full of learning, trying new things, and most importantly - delicious food!  Thank you for being part of the adventure. Hope to see you dine with us soon!