“We’ve been doing this for four years now,” said Mike Dinan, executive chef, who took the job just two weeks before the college’s first foray into the World Series.

The partnership was formed in the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic, when Little League International wanted to shift its focus from food provision to the series.

“We were able to act as a professional, efficient team and achieve this,” Said Dinan.

“Our president at the time, Dr. Gilmour, was on the board of Little League, and I think that’s where this conversation started. It was about how two nonprofits could benefit each other.” Said Dinan.

“It was a great relationship,” he said.

“The college has been very supportive of our efforts, and we also use this as a kind of recruitment method for the students,” Said Dinan.

Le Jeune Chef staff will provide breakfast, lunch and dinner throughout the series, starting with the arrival of the first teams and ending on the last day of the series.

“We’re talking about 400 people per mealtime, so 1,200 per day. So the logistics of getting each of these meals there can be a challenge,” Said Dinan.

Most meals are prepared on-site at the Little League campus, known as “The Grove,” where all players, coaches and staff live during the tournament. However, occasionally some prep work and other tasks are done at Le Jeune.

Dinan sees each year as an opportunity to learn and develop.

“Every year it’s a little different. Last year I think they wanted a little more rice in their meals, while this year there was a lot more fruit,” he said.

Despite the hectic atmosphere of feeding the teams, it is impossible for the staff to escape the excitement that fills the Lamade Stadium every year.

“The staff and teachers are very excited. When you get there, you just feel the energy change. You know something big is coming when you see the teams coming here and how much energy they have.” Said Dinan.

One aspect of the tournament that Dinan finds particularly fascinating is the showmanship put on by the young athletes.

“It’s just great fun to watch them progress throughout the series, how they win and lose, and to feel the respect the teams have for each other. It’s just great fun to follow their journey,” he said.

“And the opportunity to get to know these coaches and the children. This is certainly a unique and wonderful experience from which we benefit greatly,” he said.

“We see a lot of international teams where either the team or the coaches come back. It’s just fun to get to know them, work with them and make sure they get everything they need,” Said Dinan.

“This is much more extensive than what we normally do in everyday life, but I wouldn’t trade the opportunity for anything in the world,” Dinan said many of the employees involved were reluctant to take time off work just to continue participating in the experience.

“We get through this and I think to myself: ‘Man, I want to do this again’, but you have to wait another year,” Said Dinan.

Despite the hard work that Le Jeune’s staff do, they manage to achieve the full impact of the event they help to sustain.

“The people at Little League International are very generous and have given us a few tickets in advance of the championship. So when the opportunity arises, we take a few employees with us between meals and let them experience the game,” Said Dinan.

“This benefits our team because they can see the players they have been looking after all day again and cheer on anyone they want and just have fun,” he said.