Commons commemorates with cupcakes

The inauguration of President Donald Farish was celebrated in many ways this week at Roger Williams University, the sweet­est of which was a display of 1,400 cupcakes.

Bon Appetit, the food man­agement company serving Rog­er Williams University, catered the inauguration reception, which took place in the Cam­pus Recreation Center Gymna­sium immediately following the Investiture. The only food at the event, besides some whole fruit, were the cupcakes, arranged on a display in the shape of the Mount Hope Bridge.

Although it was a large cup­cake display, the sum was noth­ing new for the Commons.

"Between mini cupcakes and regular cupcakes, we are mak­ing just about 1,400 cupcakes, which is not a lot, considering for graduation, we make about 3,500," Lavoie said. "We've been doing cupcakes now for graduation for about three or four years. Cupcakes have kind of become the ‘in' thing."

What was different about ca­tering cupcakes this time was the display aspect.

"This is kind of cool because Facilities made this enormous bridge and it has little pedes­tals," said Linda Pierson, Lead Baker, of the display.

The cupcakes were lined up and down the road of the bridge, and also adorned the trestles.

The display incorporated RWU's motto of "bridging the world." Not only was the dis­play a bridge, but there was an image of the earth at one end.

"I have to replicate this into cupcakes," Pierson said, holding up a picture of the globe in the kitchen on Wednesday.

All together, the display in­cluded around 800 larger cup­cakes and 400 smaller ones. The name of the university was in­cluded, as well.

The Commons capitalized on their relationship with a choco­late company called Chocolates a la Carte. The California-based company makes specialized chocolates, and for the inaugu­ration, they were commissioned to make coins bearing the presi­dential seal. Some cupcakes were adorned with the choco­late seals.

Not only were the chefs and bakers busy working on the display Wednesday and Thurs­day, but they also catered other events during the inauguration week.

On Wednesday night, the Commons catered a "very special dinner" for Ambassa­dor Andrew Young, the key­note speaker of the president's Distinguished Lecture series. They also hosted a cookie and biscotti reception that featured four different kinds of cookies and three different kinds of sea­sonal biscotti following Young's speech, Lavoie said.

Although the Commons had their hands full, Lavoie said he was never worried.

"It's kind of easy for us," Lavoie said. "We're a little busy, but it's fun."