'QUEL'S CORNER

When Cracker Barrel recently faced public backlash over changes to its brand and menu identity, it wasn’t just a headline about a restaurant chain — it was a powerful reminder of how deeply people connect with food, space, and experience.

Nicole Tisch, a rising senior at Ohio State University, spent a transformative 10-week summer internship at elite|studio e, discovering the intricacies of the foodservice industry. From mastering equipment standards to creating a café refresh project at Mercy University that left clients “speechless,” the experience shaped her career goals—and inspired her to pursue her NCIDQ license.