Feel Good Story: How CFES Cafeteria Manager has Changed the Lunch Experience for the Better

May 2, 2025
How CFES Cafeteria Manager has Changed the Lunch Experience for the Better

In Tomball ISD schools, cafeteria managers and Child Nutrition team members play a vital role in students’ daily lives. Beyond preparing and serving meals, they are often the first adults students see each morning and the last before they return to class.

At Creekside Forest Elementary, cafeteria manager Lezlie Davis has become a quiet force for positive change - impacting nutrition, student well-being, and the overall experience of a lunchroom.

Davis joined Tomball ISD back in 2021 and has served as the cafeteria manager at CFES for the last three years. She brings over 20 years of experience in restaurant management to her role and moved to Tomball looking for work-life balance.

Drawing from her restaurant experience, Davis helped reshape what a school cafeteria experience is like for students. From the moment students walk in, Davis is a friendly face who is kind and adored by the entire school community.

“Lezlie makes such a big difference at CFES,” said Treva Madore, CFES Principal. “She brings warmth, laughter, and heart to everything she does. Whether she’s welcoming students with a cheerful smile in the lunch line or checking in to make sure no one goes without, she makes every child feel seen and cared for.”

Recently, CFES hosted an online auction for their spring fundraiser with families bidding to have their child become a staff member for a day. One of the jobs -  an opportunity to serve as the cafeteria manager. In an overwhelming response with several high bids, one lucky student has earned the the opportunity to be Lezlie Davis for a day in May. 

After hearing the news, Davis joked, “I was honestly so shocked,” she said. “I kept thinking who really wants to be me for a day?! After the auction, I heard there may have been several bidding wars by families.”

While shocked, Davis is excited about the opportunity to teach and mentor a student for a day.

“I plan to demonstrate how important our job is to feed hundreds of students safely while following strict guidelines in a short amount of time,” she said. “There is so much that goes into the menus and offerings each week that most people don’t really even know about.”

While the offerings are set for the campus each week, one of Davis’ responsibilities is to make sure the food looks good.

“We eat with our eyes first and students especially,” she said. “If something looks good and fresh, they are going to take it.”

In addition to food appeal, Davis ensures students are well fed and leave happy.

“Coming from a restaurant background, you always want your customers to leave happy and I think about that daily,” she said. “CFES Cafeteria is my restaurant and I want students to leave with a smile and a full stomach of nutritious food.”

And through nutrition and ensuring students are educated and understand the value in high-quality food, Davis practices what she preaches in her own health journey.

“I make sure I always have a complete meal. I have at least fruit and veggies on my tray, and most of the time, it’s both. I love trying new things and healthier options so I always mention to my students how great it is to try something new and it could surprise them. My favorite line to tell our students is: fruits and vegetables are fuel for our body to do the things we love.”

Through her own health journey, eating better has helped her feel stronger, boosted her energy, and increased her confidence not just physically but mentally. Professionally, she isn’t just feeding students but modeling healthy habits and helping shape their relationship with food for the better.

Davis’ impact at CFES has been quite significant. This is a simple reminder that child nutrition staff like Davis do more than just serve food. They shape experiences, build relationships, and nourish body and spirit in meaningful ways.

“Lezlie is the perfect fit for CFES because she lives the family spirit we’re known for,” said Madore. “She’s dependable, thoughtful, and has a heart for service that makes our school stronger. Simply put, CFES wouldn’t be the same without her.”