The 101 for Q&A articles with campus chefs
Use this page when a chef, culinary leader, or campus dining team member could become the center of a Q&A or feature story.
Chef storytelling
Help students get to know the chef behind campus dining.
Use this guide to plan an informal interview with a campus chef, turn the conversation into a written Q&A article, and publish it where students can discover the personality and expertise behind the dining program.
If you have questions after reading, reach out to CHEcommunications@compass-usa.com.
01 / Plan
Start with buy-in, context, and the right questions.
Before you record anything, make sure the campus, chef, and communications team have the context they need.
Get approvals
Get any necessary approvals from the university first.
Ask the chef
Reach out to the campus chef and ask if they are interested in speaking with you for a written Q&A article. Let them know you will share the questions in advance.
Research the angle
Do a quick search online for initiatives, awards, past events, or other newsworthy details about the chef, then add a question or two about that context.
Prepare questions
Choose from the sample questions and add anything that can help showcase the chef's personality, campus connection, or culinary perspective.
02 / Interview
Keep the conversation informal and low pressure.
The goal is a fun, get-to-know-you conversation that gives the article warmth, personality, and usable quotes.
Set it up
- Confirm a time for the interview, either in person or on Zoom.
- Share the question list ahead of time so the chef is comfortable with the conversation.
- Remind them the goal is a fun, low-pressure feature.
Record and capture
- If in person, record the conversation on your phone using Voice Memos.
- If on Zoom, record the meeting.
- Let the chef know you are recording so you can reference the conversation while writing.
- Take a photo before or after the interview, or ask for a headshot.
03 / Question bank
Pick five strong questions, then add rapid-fire prompts.
Use a short question list so the conversation feels natural. Share the questions you plan to ask with the chef ahead of time.
Background
- Where are you from?
- What made you want to be a chef?
- Where did you go to culinary school?
- Where did you work before coming to campus?
Campus dining
- What do you enjoy most about being a chef generally, and specifically about being a college or university chef?
- What is your favorite meal to make on campus? How do you make it?
- What can students expect from dining on campus this year?
- What are you looking forward to most this year?
Personality
- What is your favorite memory, or the best thing that has happened to you as a chef?
- What is one misconception about college or university food?
- What else would you like students to know?
Rapid-fire
- Favorite movie, actor, artist, food, or hobby.
- If you could only have one meal for the rest of your life, what would it be?
- Always conclude with: Anything else you would like to add?
04 / Write and publish
Turn the conversation into a useful Q&A article.
Keep the format simple: list the question, then use the chef's answer or quote below it. Preserve the chef's voice while tightening for clarity.
Write the article
- Follow a Q&A format where each question is followed by the chef's response.
- Use this Q&A-style article example as a format reference.
- When sharing the spokesperson's title, include Chartwells Higher Education, such as [Name], [Title], Chartwells Higher Education.
Publish and amplify
- Share the Q&A with the student paper and offer for them to publish it first.
- Let them know you will amplify the article across owned social channels once live.
- If the student paper declines, does not respond, or is comfortable with republication, publish it to the appropriate school website.
- Share links across owned social channels to amplify the story.
05 / Interview tips
Make the chef feel comfortable enough to be themselves.
Chef features work best when they feel human, warm, and specific to the campus dining experience.
Keep in mind
- Have a fun, informal conversation. The goal is to showcase the chef and their personality, which helps humanize Chartwells.
- It is okay to stray from the list of questions. If the chef mentions something interesting or useful, ask more about it.
- Keep it positive. If the chef does not seem interested in a question, or has a negative opinion, switch questions and move on.