Getting Jazzed

For a man who works hard to increase the diversity of other people's food, Michael Berry himself likes to keep certain things part of a routine.

His constant motions towards the Coke can in his office, for example, are no fluke.

Berry always has a can of Coke. And he's not selfish. He offers a can to office visitors (at least four times to this reporter) and provides the beverage to staff members during meetings.

When announcing the surprising success of January to dining hall managers this week, Berry said, "Let's have a drink of Coca-Cola."

The double whammy of caffeine and sugar may be one reason that Berry never stops moving.

And the sum effect the of the driven nature of Berry's character, while a boon for Harvard eaters, is not without its drawbacks.

For the past few months, Berry has started each Monday morning by visiting a stress therapist.

"My poor employees would probably go crazy if I didn't," he says. "They always are saying, `Don't forget your appointment, Mr. Berry.'"

But the innovations at HDS have brought Harvard's Mealtime Messiah a great deal of satisfaction as well. And that's what makes it worth all the work.

"I get jazzed," he says.

And Berry says his job has only just begun.

"If it doesn't jazz me, it won't jazz you," he says. "We can't get complacent. There's a lot more to be done."