THE HYGGE TIMES Monthly Nordic Word: Skyr By Brant Wall
Skyr (pronounced ‘skeer’) is an Icelandic cultured dairy product, resembling traditional strained yoghurt but with a much higher protein content, less sugar and a milder taste than the yoghurts we are used to today in the USA. It has been a part of Icelandic cuisine for over 1,000 years and, thanks to Icelandic exploer Leif Erikson, it is North America’s original yoghurt!
May is for Mothers By Brant Wall
Here in the United States, we have celebrated Mother’s Day since the beginning of the 20th century. Today, the holiday is celebrated by more than forty nations all over the world and at various times! With our New York Nordic lense, it is interesting to see that the USA, Iceland, Denmark, and Finland celebrate Mother’s Day on Sunday, May 14, while in Sweden the mothers prefer things a little warmer and hold off until Sunday, May 28 to celebrate their day.
A Day in the Life of Omar Maagaard By Donna Lee
If you haven’t had the chance to meet him yet, Omar Maagaard is the lead roaster and barista for the coffee branch of MeyersUSA, Brownsville Roasters. As of now Omar is roasting out of Pulley Collective in Redhook, until we get our own roasting facility in Brownsville. Omar is at the roastery weekly, working with a slow, Scandinavian roast, designed to extract as much flavor-potential from the beans as possible. This slow roast is so necessary to Omar’s craft that, when asked what his favorite coffee beverage is, he’ll say a black coffee because black coffees carry the subtle tastes of the farm from where the beans come. When not working at his craft at the roastery, Omar can be found at one of the MeyersUSA’s restaurants, sipping the coffee he himself roasted for the week, ensuring the quality of the Scandinavian roasting techniques. Omar’s love of coffee is clear when you hear him speaking about coffee, production, roasting, and the art of being a barista. If you have any questions about Scandinavian coffees, coffee farming practices or Brownsville Roasters, come say ‘Hi’ to Omar!
Quote: Susan J. Bissonette By Brant Wall
“An optimist is the human personification of spring.”
May 2017 Edition
Agern Update
By Ashley Sinon
As members of the MeyersUSA family it is likely you’ve heard about the flooding at Agern last month, a truly unforeseeable predicament emanating from a construction snafu upstairs. While the flood itself was disastrously inopportune and has forced Agern to temporarily shudder its doors the damage may have been worse if not for the staff, who scrambled to save their restaurant from sinking in the middle of a train station. Yet what happened next is even more remarkable than an impromptu spring shower, its the dedication of a management team to their employees.
With many people suddenly finding themselves without a source of income, Agern’s managers sent out informative and positive emails on a daily basis. Boundless support shone through these communications; alternate work opportunities, including positions at other MeyersUSA properties, stages at wineries, and even supplemental income. (continued on Page 2)
THE HYGGE TIMES Agern Update Continued By Ashley Sinon
When not reaching out to staff the management team went through the book and contacted every single reservation and private party, rebooking at the Great Northern Food Hall and at restaurants all over the city where we have friends. They have received an incredible response from the guests and the restaurant community as a whole; everyone offering support, assistance, and well wishes to get back open soon. It has been encouraging to hear from the guests how much they love our restaurant and our team. The reaction among our restaurant brethren has been genuinely inspiring to witness and be a part of. Until Agern is able to open its doors again our Agern refugees are spread all over NYC, proving that the culinary community staunchly takes care of our own. Agern is more than a restaurant to those that work here, more than just a job. Without a doubt we will be back on our feet providing superior cuisine and hospitality as soon as possible. After all, mighty oaks from little acorns grow.
Delivery Stork Sightings By Dominic Hoak
We would like to welcome the newborns being introduced to the world by staff at MeyersuSA! On 3/27/17, at 3:46PM, Justin Roller (Maître d’ at Agern) became the father of a little girl named Penelope Frances Roller! On 4/5/17, at 9:04 PM, Sean Doughty (Steward at GNFH) became the father of a little girl named K yley Marie Doughty Congratulations, you two!
May 2017 Edition
Melody’s Favorite Chocolate Chip Cookies By Ashley Sinon
Melody Medina is a baker in Great Northern Food Hall. Melody’s favorite chocolate chip cookies were created after many attempts in her home to make a not-too-sweet, soft centered cookie with crunchy edges. Super simple to make by hand or in a mixer, they’re a great cookie to bake for any occasion. Ingredients: Butter: 1/2 cup (112g) Granulated sugar: 1/2 cup (100g) Brown sugar: 1/2 cup (90g) Egg: 1 Vanilla extract: 1 1/4 tsp Flour: 1 1/3 cup (160g) Baking soda: 1/2 tsp Salt: 1/2 tsp Chocolate chips (60%-72% cocoa content): 3/4 cup (160g) Instructions: 1) Preheat oven to 350 degrees Farenheit. While preheating, allow butter to rest at room temperature. In a medium bowl, combine flour, baking soda, salt and chocolate chips; whisk ingredients together. 2) Using a standard mixer (or your clean hands or a wooden spoon), mix the cream, butter and sugars until the mixture is smooth and creamy.
Instructions: 3) Add the egg and vanilla extract. 4) Once the egg is incorporated, add the flour to the mix, stirring until all ingredients are thoroughly combined. 5) Scoop out desired size of cookies onto a foil-lined baking sheet, making sure not to overcrowd the sheet. 6) Bake in preheated oven at 350 degrees Farenheit for 8-12 minutes, or until golden brown on the edges. 7) Let cool for a few minutes and enjoy! If you prefer to save some cookies for later, these can be kept in an airtight container for 3-4 days.
Hygge Times: Coffee Poll
By Dominic Hoak For this month’s North Poll we asked team members how they like it… their coffee, that is!
How do you take your Coffee? 70 60 50 40 30 20 10 0
THE HYGGE TIMES Lifecare and Lifemart By Donna Lee
May 2017 Edition
May HR Hours
Did you know the Scandinavian countries consistently rank among the nations with the healthiest work-life balance? Keeping true to its roots, MeyersUSA offers all full-time employees mulitple benefits, including LifeCare and LifeMart! These work-life solutions offer great tools to better balance work and life, including, but not limited to: - Child care, camp and other parenting resources - Senior care - Emotional health - Legal and financial assistance - Health and wellness - Members-only discounts on movies, retail, Broadway shows, and more
Birthdays
Work Anniversaries Name
Location
Terrero, Priscilla Joergensen, Camilla Agaloos, Danielle Perreira, Samuel V Leth, Marie Joseph, Serge Tepi Hernandez, Ruben Huffins, Frederick Johnson, Alton Ignacio, Jason Pantojas, Adalberto Tyrrell, Kelly Villafane Gonzalez, Jayson G
If you are interested in enrolling in these benefits, please visit the LifeCare website via your ADP Workforce Now web portal, navigate to the “My Tools” page and select “LifeCare Work/Life, EAP (Employee Assistance Program) Discounts link. To access the LifeMart website, simply follow the steps listed above after selecting the “LifeMart” link.
Jonagold Great Northern Food Hall MeyersUSA Commissary Great Northern Food Hall Agern Great Northern Food Hall Jonagold Great Northern Food Hall Grand Central Terminal MeyersUSA Commissary Norman Agern Great Northern Food Hall
Date Name 2-May 3-May 4-May 9-May 10-May 14-May 14-May 16-May 16-May 18-May 18-May 25-May 30-May
Johnson, Alton Pollard, Ezra Quilli Beltran, Christian Toure, Karamoko Waiters, Darnell Fanny, Mariam Segui, Juan Ramon Aguilar, Xavier Carmelo Tse, Essi Gonzalez Cortes, Pedro Jose Negron, Jeremiah Pierson, Joshua Shireman, Spencer Grannum, Christopher Heimann, Dana Milora, Cecilia Lanot, Jaquy Pace, Nicholas
Location
Date
Great Northern Food Hall Norman Jonagold Grand Central Terminal Grand Central Terminal Great Northern Food Hall Jonagold Grand Central Terminal Great Northern Food Hall Great Northern Food Hall Great Northern Food Hall Agern Meyers Bageri Great Northern Food Hall Agern Norman Great Northern Food Hall Great Northern Food Hall
3-May 3-May 3-May 6-May 6-May 7-May 7-May 8-May 9-May 11-May 11-May 12-May 12-May 13-May 13-May 14-May 29-May 29-May
Hygge Times Editorial Board Claus Meyer Publisher, Chairman Donna Lee Executive V.P., Talent and Inclusion Angela Wang Executive V.P., Print Products Hannah Kramer Executive V.P., Editorial Committee Christina Heinze Johansson Executive Editor Brant Wall Managing Editor Jenny Pura Editorial Page Editor Ashley Sinon Journalist Dominic Hoak Journalist