Spoon University

Spoon University is an online food publication by college students, for college students. The goal of the site is to serve as an “everyday food resource for our generation, on a mission to make food make sense.”

Originally founded in 2012 by Mackenzie Barth and Sarah Adler, two students at Northwestern University, Spoon University has grown over the past four years to include more than 150 college campuses and 5,000 contributors worldwide. Each college chapter has a unique team based on campus consisting of writers, editors, photographers, and business team members.

Everyone helps produce content for their unique chapter site, promotes Spoon University’s online presence, and hosts events on their respective campuses. On the site, visitors can find articles of varying topics connecting college students with food. Common article subjects include local restaurant reviews, dining hall hacks, food events, healthy eating or grocery shopping tips, study abroad recommendations, and personal stories.

The UC Berkeley chapter was founded in Winter 2013 by Elizabeth Layman and Jocelyn Hsu. I first joined Spoon University at Berkeley in Fall 2014 as a team writer. When Elizabeth stepped down as Editor-in-Chief at the end of the year, I took over the position and held it through 2015.

My work for Spoon University covers a wide array of topics, ranging from recipes to restaurant reviews,  on-campus event coverage and healthy eating tips. Some of my favorite pieces to write were the articles that discussed healthy eating tips: “5 Essential Food Pairings for Every College Student,” “4 Simple Health Foods to Introduce to Your Diet,” and “How To Actually Start Eating Better.” Since September 2016, my articles have earned over 136k unique page views.

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This Simple Homemade Pumpkin Pie is Even Better Than Costco’s

Article originally published on Spoon University. This minimalist pumpkin pie is worth your time and effort. | December 15, 2015 | Photo by Courtney Cheng Our team at Spoon is always up for the challenge of making food better than the items we find at the grocery store. During the holidays, when we have access to our large, spacious and clean … Continue reading This Simple Homemade Pumpkin Pie is Even Better Than Costco’s

Make History at the UC Berkeley Food Access and Food Security Summit

Article originally published on Spoon University. Let’s talk about food. | October 12, 2015 | Photo by Jocelyn Hsu On Sunday, October 18, 2015, from 1 pm-5 pm, UC Berkeley students and community members will make history by hosting the inaugural UC Berkeley Food Access and Food Security Summit. At this event, campus organizations and faculty … Continue reading Make History at the UC Berkeley Food Access and Food Security Summit

85°C Bakery Cafe Opens in Berkeley After 10 Months of Hearsay

Article originally published on Spoon University. Our patience has finally paid off. | September 29, 2015 | Photo by Courtney Cheng In November 2014, our team at Spoon University at Berkeley heard that 85ºC Bakery Cafe would open a storefront in Berkeley. Rumors flew until August when construction finally began in earnest. Photo by Courtney Cheng On October 2, 2015, 85ºC Bakery Cafe … Continue reading 85°C Bakery Cafe Opens in Berkeley After 10 Months of Hearsay

Learn How to Make the Best Scrambled Eggs from Sir Ian McKellen

Article originally published on spoon University. Who needs Jamie Oliver when you’ve got Sir Ian McKellen? | July 28, 2015 | Screenshot of Facebook Video On June 23, Sir Ian McKellen decided to celebrate the success of his latest film, Mr. Holmes, by posting a video of himself making what he claims are “the best scrambled eggs.” The veritable actor … Continue reading Learn How to Make the Best Scrambled Eggs from Sir Ian McKellen

4 Helpful Hints to Decipher Nutrition Facts Labels

Article originally published on Spoon University. Here’s what all those scientific-looking terms actually mean. | June 30, 2015 | Photo by Courtney Cheng It’s almost common knowledge that the more calories a food has, the more energy you’ll receive from it…or the more you energy you’ll spend burning it off. For many, looking at nutritional facts simply means checking the serving … Continue reading 4 Helpful Hints to Decipher Nutrition Facts Labels

4 Not-So-Simple Health Foods to Introduce to Your Diet

Article originally published on Spoon University. So you’ve got those fresh produce items. What’s next? | June 14, 2015 | Photo by Courtney Cheng Spoon recently published an article with four health foods to help you on your healthy eating journey. Now that you’ve got those down pat (ahem), here are some preparation-heavy ingredients you can purchase to challenge … Continue reading 4 Not-So-Simple Health Foods to Introduce to Your Diet

4 Simple Health Foods to Introduce to Your Diet

Article originally published on Spoon University. It’s not all about that low-fat, nonfat. | June 1, 2015 | Photo by Courtney Cheng When school stress ends, summertime stress begins. Yes, summertime stress exists, and for millennials, it’s the stress of healthy eating—maybe not to achieve that rockin’ bikini bod, but simply to feel and look your best. However, eating healthily doesn’t just … Continue reading 4 Simple Health Foods to Introduce to Your Diet

20 Berkeley Students Whose Free Food Game is Too Strong

Article originally published on Spoon University. Rather than find free food at events around campus, these students photographed their way to it. | March 17, 2015 | Design by Luna Zhang Over the past three weeks, Spoon University at Berkeley partnered with R3lish to put on a food photography contest called #FoodsofBerkeley. The contest ended this Friday, March 13, at … Continue reading 20 Berkeley Students Whose Free Food Game is Too Strong

How to Earn $250 with a Single Photo

Article originally published on Spoon University. It is with R3lish that Spoon University at Berkeley ushers in our developing partnership. | February 26, 2015 | Photo by Irene Kim On February 11, 2015, Spoon University at Berkeley officially launched its partnership with R3lish, a San Francisco-based company that allows users to create, share and search for video- … Continue reading How to Earn $250 with a Single Photo

Starbucks Steps Up its Vegan Game with Coconut Milk

Article originally published on Spoon University. Pardon us, soy – coconuts are rolling into town this month. | February 5, 2015 | Photo Courtesy of Starbucks Starting February 17, Starbucks storefronts nationwide will be offering Starbucks Single Origin Sumatra Coconut Milk as the chain’s second non-dairy and first non-soy-based milk addition to its beverages. The company first began … Continue reading Starbucks Steps Up its Vegan Game with Coconut Milk

You’ll Never Believe What Happened at UC Berkeley’s First Food Fair

Article originally published on Spoon University. A foodie’s warm welcome back to Berkeley | January 22, 2015 | Photo by Luna Zhang On January 21, 2015, UC Berkeley’s ASUC (The Associated Students of the University of California) hosted and sponsored its first official food fair on campus to kick off the spring semester. While the usual collection … Continue reading You’ll Never Believe What Happened at UC Berkeley’s First Food Fair

Half-Homemade Chicken Pot Pie That’s Perfect for College Kids

Article originally published on Spoon University. Because half-homemade is still better than store-bought. | December 11, 2014 | Photo Courtesy of Peter Cheng If you’re looking for a hearty but relatively simple dish to make for dinner, look no further. This chicken pot pie recipe (inspired by Minimalist Baker’s 1-Hour Vegan Pot Pierecipe) gives you the taste of some homemade … Continue reading Half-Homemade Chicken Pot Pie That’s Perfect for College Kids

Why You Should Be Using Instacart

Article originally published on Spoon University. #nocar #friendswithcarsarebusy #can’tevenarrangemealtime #don’ttalktomeaboutgroceries | October 16, 2014 | Photo by Jocelyn Hsu Generally an hour-and-a-half grocery trip is doable. However, my four-hour treks a la The Lord of the Rings (thank you, unreliable buses) had me looking for a new solution. Once I discovered the existence of online grocery shopping, I rushed to give Instacart‘s 14-day free … Continue reading Why You Should Be Using Instacart