DENTON, Texas — The University of North Texas in Denton is overhauling its meal plans. One employee has grown in value right alongside the meal plans. 

Peter Balabuch is so proud of UNT’s dining services. He thinks it is tour-worthy. He has worked there since 1993. 

“I started with the organization, washing pots at Bruce Hall,” Balabuch said. “Worked in the dish pit for a couple years. When I graduated school, I got a job as a line cook. Promoted to a supervisor. Learned all the areas of the kitchen, worked as a manager in some places. Took the role of the chef as the culinary trainer in the department. Worked my way up. Associate director, director of resident dining services and now executive director of dining services at UNT.” 

He’s come a long way. Meanwhile, dining services have grown with him. 

“It’s massive. We’ve grown,” Balabuch said. “So, that’s a good thing.” 

UNT now has a bakery in Clark Hall, where the breads, biscuits, cookies and treats are made. Maple dorm also houses a hydroponic garden to grow the greens. 

“We are the franchise holder of all the restaurants inside this building. So if you get a meal plan at UNT now, Fuzzy’s, Burger King, Chick Fila Avesta, restaurant, that’s all part of your meal plan at UNT now.” 

A current UNT student, Annie Ngyuen, is a kinesiology major. But now that she has worked in the bakery, she said she is hooked for life. 

“I’m not going to use my major,” Ngyuen said. “I want to pursue baking full-time. So after I graduate next spring, I want to work here as a full-time non-student worker.”