Meeting the silent guardians of FPT Hanoi’s Canteen kitchen
Every day, thousands of employees across FPT Tower and FPT Building gather at the Canteen, savoring hot, delicious meals. Few realize that behind these seemingly simple dishes lies a journey of tireless dedication, meticulous care, and profound passion from the contractors, coupled with the rigorous oversight and continuous improvement initiatives of FSOFT’s SSC department. These are the unsung heroes who provide a sustainable source of energy for the extended FPT family, driven by a singular mission: to deliver meals that are “as delicious and clean as home cooking.”
To ensure each dish is not only palatable but also absolutely safe and hygienic, the journey begins with the meticulous selection of ingredients. The kitchen teams at the Pham Van Bach and Duy Tan Canteens adhere to ten stringent criteria when choosing suppliers. These criteria range from guaranteeing consistent quality, transparent origins, and compliance with food safety standards, to ensuring stable supply capabilities and embracing sustainable practices.
“We prioritize fresh, seasonal ingredients, carefully hand-picked from reputable local suppliers,” shared Ms. Mai Chi, a contractor’s representative. This commitment not only helps preserve the natural flavors and the rich “home-cooked” taste of the dishes but also reflects a deep respect for nature and a dedication to culinary sustainability. From crisp summer morning glory to sweet winter cabbage, every ingredient is cherished and thoughtfully combined with selected imported products, creating a harmonious balance between traditional essence and modern culinary styles.
You might be surprised to learn that the journey of a single dish, from its arrival in storage to its presentation on the dining table, involves a meticulous, seven-step closed-loop process. This includes receiving, preserving, and preliminary processing of ingredients with clear separation of raw and cooked zones to prevent cross-contamination, followed by cooking, tasting, adjusting, presenting, and a final inspection. “The preliminary processing stage demands meticulousness and skill to maintain the ingredients’ flavor and form, while the cooking stage is where the dish’s quality is truly determined,” Ms. Chi emphasized. This is also where each chef’s “secret recipe” shines through their unique approach to selecting and handling ingredients, or their precise seasoning ratios, creating a distinctive culinary signature. To ensure consistent quality for thousands of meals daily, modern equipment such as industrial induction cookers, high-performance tilting brasiers, and specialized warming units is always optimally operated.
If the kitchen team is the heart that creates flavor, then the SSC (Shared Service Center) acts as the controlling brain, ensuring everything operates smoothly and to standard. With the dual objective of guaranteeing food safety and enhancing the dining experience, the SSC team consistently applies comprehensive criteria for evaluating meal quality: from ingredient sourcing, food safety, and nutritional content, to menu diversity, cooking techniques, taste, and the ability to maintain consistent quality.
According to an SSC representative, food safety is rigorously controlled at multiple levels, encompassing daily, monthly, and quarterly internal checks, as well as periodic inspections by the Group and state agencies. Crucially, before any collaboration, contractors must undergo a stringent vetting process, including legal verification, capacity assessment, and a direct “meal trial” session with FPT representatives to ensure sensory quality.
Every piece of feedback, no matter how small, received via hotline, QR Code, or periodic surveys regarding taste or quality, is promptly recorded, verified, and addressed by the SSC. “To ensure objectivity and timeliness, a sample of each dish is always retained after cooking. This allows us to quickly verify facts and make immediate adjustments when feedback is received. Every suggestion is an opportunity to improve our recipes or processes,” shared Ms. Lan Anh, an SSC representative. This represents a continuous improvement loop, reinforced by a monthly KPI mechanism for contractors, ensuring that service quality is consistently maintained and elevated.
Beyond current operations, the SSC continuously nurtures plans to enhance the overall dining experience. This includes periodically testing new seasonal dishes, expanding menu diversity (Vietnamese, Asian, European, vegetarian, and healthy options), installing digital menu boards displaying nutritional information, and integrating digital technology for quality monitoring and feedback. Notably, the SSC also promotes a green, safe, and sustainable dining model under the “green – clean – sustainable dishes” initiative, prioritizing local products, reducing plastic waste, and advocating for a green lifestyle.
Behind these rigorous processes and standards, there are always stories of dedication and human connection. Among them, the most memorable anecdote dates back to August-September 2021, during the severe COVID-19 outbreak, when Hanoi implemented social distancing. Over 200 FSOFT employees “camped” at the office, and under conditions of scarce food supplies and difficult travel, the FPT Tower Canteen contractor partnered with the SSC to provide three meals a day and refreshment services. “The contractor’s efforts during that time were not solely driven by revenue or contractual obligations, but by a spirit of mutual support between businesses and, more profoundly, between people,” Ms. Lan Anh (SSC.HN) shared emotionally.
More than just simple meals, every dish served at FPT Hanoi’s Canteen is an embodiment of heartfelt dedication and sincere care. It is the result of the tireless efforts of a devoted kitchen team and the professional, thoughtful management of the SSC. With unwavering commitment and a high sense of responsibility, they not only deliver delicious and clean meals but also contribute to fostering a workplace environment that is not only efficient but also brimming with care and a spirit of cohesion.
