Train the Trayer

Going trayless is tres chic in an increasing number of college all-you-care-to-eat dining halls, but the going is not always smooth. For many students used to having trays to cart dishes to the seating area, the transition can prove confusing — and messy.

The University of Texas at Austin is planning to convert to trayless dining this fall in its two all-you-care-to-eat dining halls. To help prepare students — and anyone else at other campuses who might want to look in — Associate Foodservice Director Scott Meyer has prepared a humorous YouTube video.

Filmed in black and white like an old-time silent film, complete with intertitles and tinkling piano soundtrack, it shows two students puzzled by the new system being helped by a kindly administrator (played by a costumed Meyer).

Amidst the physical comedy (spilled dishes, etc.) is the serious message, including plate-waste statistics that prompted the move to trayless at UT-Austin.

You can check it out at http://www.youtube.com/user/UTEXASDHFSGreenScene