Her voice is barely audible over the boisterous voices of the young men sitting at the long rectangular tables of Auburn University’s FarmHouse fraternity. Not seeming to mind at all, Chef Adria Zelmer remains calm and content as she enjoys the fast-paced style of her nine-to-five job.

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Fast paced would be an understatement in describing the busy schedule of Zelmer’s average day of feeding the 98 members of the fraternity. Arriving at 9 a.m. to prep for lunch, she doesn’t come up to breathe until 1:30 p.m. after all the boys have eaten. She then takes a break and returns to the house at 4 p.m. to start preparing dinner.

“It’s definitely not a normal job,” said Zelmer.

According to Zelmer, the main reason for becoming chef of FarmHouse was to escape the normalcy and repetition of corporate life. Wearing jeans, a t-shirt and gravy-splashed tennis shoes, she said couldn’t ask for anything more.

“I never go home crying or feeling unimportant,” she said. “I am responsible for filling the bellies of some of the finest young men at Auburn.”

Although she doesn’t live at the house full time, she maintains a nurturing and personal relationship with every one of the brothers. She calls them all by name and has a good story to tell about everyone. Unfortunately for senior, Matt Layton, his story left him with singed bangs and eyebrows for a few weeks.

“I love when the boys help me out in the kitchen, but you can’t just go messin’ with the gas grill if you don’t know what you’re doing,” said Zelmer

“Oh well, boys will be boys,” she said.

This fact proves to be especially true around meal times at FarmHouse. Zelmer strives to prepare meals that are both delicious and healthy. According to the boys, she is quick to give them a hard time if they leave vegetables on their plate.

“I was almost late to class because I didn’t finish all of my green beans,” said senior, Brandon Becker. “I still love her though.”

“The hardest part about my job is trying to please everyone,” said Zelmer. “Of course everyone doesn’t love everything I make, but I do try to fix things that I know they will enjoy.”

Whether it is through compliments, empty plates or grimacing facial expressions, she knows what her boys like and dislike.

“You can’t get your feelings hurt,” she said. “I hate throwing away food, so I really try to make the house favorites as much as I can.”

The general consensus house favorites of the brothers include chicken parmesan, make-your-own pizza and steak.

Yes, she may make them finish the veggies on their plate, but there is no question that she can goof- off with her boys from time to time.

“I’m sort of like a crazy aunt,” said Zelmer. “I’m not their mother because I don’t clean up after them.”

The relationship between Zelmer and her boys is strong and it is shown through the laughter and conversations that can be heard during meal times at FarmHouse. She shows love and support for them, and they do the same for her.

“I remember a time last year when I was really upset about something,” said Zelmer. “The boys could tell that I had been crying and they were all trying to cheer me up. I’ll never forget when Dan went over to the piano and started playing some of my favorite songs. Before I knew it, we were all singing and dancing around the dining room like a bunch of idiots. I felt so much better knowing that they cared enough to perk me back up.”

Chef, mother, crazy aunt or friend, Zelmer has a special place in her heart for every member of FarmHouse.

“We all love her,” said Becker with outstretched arms. “This much.”