José "Joe" Suárez
4’8 Capybara, He/Him
Chef at ZT ManeOffice

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Art by https://www.furaffinity.net/user/erdbeerfuchs

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When ZT expanded the Mane Office compound to include Floor 2.05 and similar micro-habitation and work environments they were faced with an issue on how exactly to supply everyone one. Even with the transit-tube network on site, most sub-sized staff would end up having to travel on foot off campus for food options, which could be a lengthy, difficult and sometimes even dangerous trip. Most “office boxes” ended up equipped with tiny cafeterias to serve those there on site, but they had to be supplied from a central area (and since none of the people doing that wanted to deal with perishables, many of the menu items were quite static). Furthermore, this stock did nothing for normal and plus sized staff, who were regulated to vending-machine options. As one panther put it in a review email, “I don’t see why the food eats better than we do,”. A few sensitivity trainings later, the problem still needed to be addressed.

While traveling southward to review toll-manufacturers for various materials, Sofia, Antonia and Olivia happened across Mr. Suárez who worked for the hotel she was staying. Being rather unimpressed with the actual business discussions, but quite impressed with his ability to cater to a diverse range of clientel (canine, caprine and anatidae in one meal plan is pretty ambitious), Sofia ended up offering him a job back at ZT. Initially he refused since he was a little more comfortable in his current environment; but when Antonia reiterated the sheer diversity of species AND permission to experiment with his own dishes rather than merely making to order, he decided to give it a go.

José - or "Joe" as those with difficulty pronouncing ess’s call him - has become a very welcome addition to the ZT staff. Box offices are now staffed with fresh and species appropriate options and a course menu is available for the full scale cafeteria option recently expanded on site. In addition to José himself, a retinue of small sized staff also assist in the kitchens (usually as an excuse to sample freely) under his direction - so it is not uncommon to peek into the kitchen area and see a conga-line of smalls carrying spices to various stations. They also keep any pests down since they can check all the possible nooks and crannies during the course of work.

Being remarkably chill as a person, José tends only to be very serious about work - although even then in a more joking and excitable way. He has a keen palate, as to be expected, and likes experimenting with anything he can talk Antonia into ordering for him. Prior to his time at ZT he featured in a few “cooking challenges' and although he did not win at them the idea of randomizing things to test your skills has stuck with him firmly. While he is proud of his dishes, he is more interested in feedback and suggestions from staff and often tries to recruit ALICE or LUCAS to send post-meal surveys to folks. He has been eyeing the ZT Greenhouses, keen to try some of the experimental spices and fruits there; but thus far has been kept from trying anything by the Biologics director and Ramona warding him off.

For both work and personal reasons, José has taken to travelling abroad - either in conjunction with Olivia or solo to try out different places and different cuisines. He is beginning to develop quite a collection of languages and it is not uncommon for him to bring new dishes and lingo to the workplace after a long trip.

Outside of work José enjoys relaxing and casual sipping. Although he rarely mixes them himself, he is a fan of tiki drinks and keep trying to get Sofia to implement Hawaiian shirt Fridays. She has rejected the overture so far.