Rafael Portillr, a worker at the Basta Pasta restaurant from the Dairy Market.

Perspectives of Different Dairy Market Workers

Local News

At Dairy Market, there are multiple workers that run different types of restaurant stands. People work at the Dairy Market for a variety of reasons. There are multiple different types of jobs at the Dairy Market with some of them depending on the restaurant. Some people work there because it’s convenient for them. Others are interested in culinary arts and culinary classes. Also, everyone I talked to said that the food from the restaurants they work at was their favorite type of food.

Amy Eischner, worker at Citizen Burger, has worked there for two years. She has also taken culinary classes in school and even graduated from PVCC with a culinary degree. She first knew about the Dairy Market restaurant once it opened up. When she entered the Dairy Market, she was inspired to work there because she finds the restaurant environment to be fun. However, Eischner does have some work challenges. She said, “When we get busy, it can be overwhelming.”

Rafael Portillr, worker at Basta Pasta, has worked there for three years. He has also taken culinary classes at school. He first knew about the Dairy Market when he moved from New York into Charlottesville four years ago. Portillr said, “My inspiration to work at the Dairy Market is because it is a fun place to work and it’s convenient for me because it’s close to my home and I get to do my hobby of cooking.” He said, “The money that I make” is his favorite thing about working at the Dairy Market. Portillr, however, has several challenges when it comes to working. His challenges are “to try to be on time and sell more stuff than everyone else.”

Eban Arvares, worker at Moo Thru, has worked there for six months. She hasn’t taken any culinary classes at school, but still enjoys her job. Arvares knew about the market since last year in August and was inspired to work at the Dairy Market as she found the restaurant to be very interesting.

Takera Smith, worker at GRN Burger, has worked there three years. Like the past three people I interviewed, I asked her if she has taken culinary classes. She answered no, but she still enjoys working at Dairy Market despite that. Smith has learned about the Dairy Market from a job interview at South and Central Latin Grill and was inspired to work at the Dairy Market due to its jovial environment.

Alexander Donovon, worker at Star Hill Downtown, has been a bartender for three months. Donovan learned about the Dairy Market since it was built. Donovan says this as his inspiration of having a job at the market, “I have been looking for more serious work and needed to make money on the side.”

Jacqueline Monjey, worker at Latin America Maizal Street Food, has worked there for six months. Like all of the above except for the first and second people I interviewed, Monjey has not taken any culinary classes in high school. She learned about the Dairy Market as she was introduced to it a year ago.People who are interested in having a position can view a website where they can see the different roles at the Dairy Market and see which one interests them. They are currently hiring bartenders, baristas, and associates for various restaurants like Maizal Street Food, Starr Hill Brewery, and the Milkman’s Bar.