Ashley Wiser  

For Ashley Wiser, food is more than nourishment, it’s a way to build connections, inspire students, and bring joy to those she serves. As a mother of five and the cafeteria manager at Helmwood Heights Elementary, she brings over two decades of experience to her role, making sure every student who goes through her line is well nourished and looked after.

Ashley’s love for food started early on with her mother and grandmother in the kitchen. She once considered a career in forensic pathology, but her passion for food won out. Working in the K-12 foodservice space gives her the perfect balance between a fulfilling career and quality time with her family. She says, “I would not trade this job for a million dollars. The love I give and receive is phenomenal.”

Ashley approaches her work with an important question in mind: How can we better serve students and make them excited to visit the cafeteria each day? She shares that the key is consistency, putting students first, and fostering an environment where they feel welcomed and cared for. She sees her role as more than just serving meals; it’s about creating positive, uplifting experiences for students every day. “Anybody can provide food,” Ashley says. “It’s the connection, the positivity, and the changes that can be made that make this job worth it.”

Ashley and her five-member team operate with a big mission; they call it, “Operation Give the Love.” They embrace working together and give all they can to ensure every student feels valued. The team serves breakfast and lunch daily, in addition to offering an after-school meal program Monday through Thursday, reinforcing their commitment to student well-being.

Ashley believes strong leadership starts with communication. She hosts weekly Monday morning meetings, keeping the team aligned while ensuring flexibility to meet students’ needs in real time. She works alongside her team, emphasizing safety and sanitation as top priorities. Her go-to motto is, “I can have it fixed in an hour.” This readiness and problem-solving mindset define her leadership style. Ashley shares, “I want to be a positive example for my team and everyone in this school. I will never ask someone to do something that I’m not willing to do myself.”

Ashley understands that students eat with their eyes first, so presentation and variety play a big role in meal appeal. By gathering student feedback, she finetunes the menu to include meals that not only nourish but also excite. Some student favorites include chicken and waffles, mandarin chicken with rice, chili dogs, and banana splits.

She constantly looks for new ways to make meals engaging. One of her latest ideas is to introduce bento boxes, inspired by charcuterie-style meal kits, to encourage healthy and fun eating. Participating in a social media giveaway from General Mills Foodservice allowed her cafeteria to win Pillsbury™ Blueberry Mini Waffles, creating excitement among students and even involving parents in the celebration. Other popular choices include Lucky Charms™, Cinnamon Toast Crunch™, and Cocoa Puffs™. “My babies love their cereal!” Ashley says.