Royal Purple

Issue date: 5/7/08 Section: Arts & Entertainment

Media Credit: Joy Kowald Display cook Connie Marshall flips omelets in the Ike Shaffer Commons of the University Center. Marshall makes the omelets five days a week and usually makes three omelets at a time.

The dynamic duo of display cooks Connie Marshall and Tina Noll combine humor, talent and commitment into their work every morning in the Ike Shaffer Commons.

Marshall and Noll have worked together for two years and while being interviewed, completed one another's sentences. The two are known by their co-workers as "Sizzle" and "Dazzle" for their compatibility. Marshall, on the other hand, prefers "thunder" and "lightning" and enjoys every minute of her job.

"The best part of my job is the students and the customers in general," Marshall said. "I love joking around with the kids."

Students can recognize Marshall as the lady who makes omelets in the morning. Before working at the University Center, Marshall worked at both Drumlin and Esker but really enjoys the UC for the large windows and inviting atmosphere, Marshall said.

An average day for Marshall starts at 7 a.m. Her ingredients are already set up for her by Noll, so things move more smoothly. She begins by warming the pans, so she can get omelets started right away for the people who are lined up at the register, Marshall said.

Some students come in specifically for the omelets and only have 15 minutes to eat before traveling to places such as Fort Atkinson, so Marshall has their omelets done as they enter, so they have more time to eat, she said.

Marshall sees between 200 and 250 students every morning, and guarantees at least half of them eat her omelets. Marshall now makes three omelets at a time, and her goal is to eventually make four at a time, Marshall said.

The omelet process takes time since the vegetables and meat need to be cooked before the eggs and cheese are added, but is a filling portion for most people, Marshall said.

"We get a lot of administration wanting omelets too," Marshall said. "In their busy days they just don't have time for lunch, so they fill up on the breakfast."

Both Marshall and Noll said they enjoy seeing the customers who come through every morning. Tuesdays and Thursdays are usually the busiest and almost every morning a group of regulars are expected, Marshall and Noll said.

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