By: Jesus Cortez
Two College of DuPage culinary arts faculty members are talking turkey this holiday season.
Michael and Susan Maddox, a husband-and-wife chef duo, are helping individuals and families with all their turkey needs, serving as experts at the Butterball Turkey Talk-Line in Naperville.
They work as part of a group of more than 50 experts, including chefs, nutritionists, dietitians and food science specialists. Experts assist callers with all their turkey-related questions via phone, text and live chat.
Susan, a COD faculty member since 2006, first joined the talk line after being brought into the mix by a colleague.
“A friend, who is also a chef, reached out, and he told me how much fun he had. So I jumped on it, and here I am five years later,” she said.
Just as he joined his wife at COD in 2012, Michael, an associate professor, followed in Susan’s footsteps at the Butterball Turkey Talk-Line.
“I saw how much joy it brought to her, telling me stories of helping people, giving them confidence and food safety answers as well. So we talked, and I said, ‘I'm going to join you in that excitement,’” he said.
The two have worked for five and four years, respectively, on the talk line, answering hundreds of calls and chats a day from people across the United States, Canada and Mexico. They say working at the call center is not too different from teaching students at COD.
“I think it's extremely similar because the idea with the students and also with consumers is helping them problem-solve,” said Michael. “When teaching students and consumers, it’s important to explain the ‘Here’s why we do this.’”
Working together to teach others is a process the two have done for a long time.
“It’s something we have enjoyed doing since owning a fine dining restaurant, and we saw how well we complemented each other,” said Michael. “We wouldn't want to work with anyone else; we balance our strengths and weaknesses.”
While both Michael and Susan will be supporting others from the call center on Thanksgiving, they will still get to celebrate the holiday with family the day after, continuing their partnership in their home kitchen.
“I am all about the sides; the mashed potatoes, the goodness. Michael is my turkey expert,” said Susan.
The Butterball Turkey Talk-Line runs through Dec. 24. Experts like Michael and Susan can be reached at 1-800-BUTTERBALL or by text at (844) 877-3456.