The face behind the food

Executive Chef Scott Rouse is mostly known for his work at Miami University creating meal plans for students. However, others may know him from the hearse that’s parked outside of Maplestreet Commons. Or from scuba diving courses. Or even from his involvement in Biking Against Child Abuse.

As executive chef, Rouse develops the menu and manages culinary operations.

“Chef Scott loves to teach his craft and help other culinarians be successful. Although he is very serious when it comes to all things food safety, he has also taught many people that cooking can be fun,” Amy Allen, director of residential dining, wrote in an email statement.

In addition to teaching culinary skills, he helps direct scuba diving courses at Miami. While he’s been an experienced diver for 16 years (and counting), he’s been assisting at the Aquatic Center for 10.

“It’s great helping the students get certified and teaching scuba, because now the students are going to see a lot of the cool stuff that I’ve been able to see and have cool adventures all on their own,” Rouse said.

Rouse normally assists with a larger scuba class and is well regarded for his experience and his teaching methods.

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“I really like his teaching style in the pool. He doesn’t drag out the class if the class is getting [long], but at the same time, if there’s a student or a group students that aren’t getting it, he takes the extra time to spend with them to make sure that they know how to do it right and safely,” said John Mihevic, director of the Aquatic Center and programs.

Rouse dives at various locations, from the coasts of the Carolinas to Gilboa Quarry, a premier dive area in Findlay, Ohio. It’s about a two hour drive from Miami, and while it may seem like a long way to travel, it goes by a lot quicker when you drive a haunted hearse.

“It’s actually the fourth [hearse] I’ve owned,” Rouse said. “I love the lines, they ride great,”

A spirit named Roger accompanies Rouse on his drives. Rouse said Roger is quite a friendly ghost, who really only messes with the radio. Everyday he gets into the driver’s seat and greets the spirit, or risks facing the ghost’s antics.

“One morning I was a little out of sorts, I didn’t wish Roger a good morning,” Rouse said. “Twenty minutes into my commute on a rainy day, and all of a sudden my radio quit working and my windshield wiper stopped, and I had to apologize [to Roger], and within five seconds the radio came back on and the windshield wipers started working.”

When he doesn’t feel like taking the haunted hearse, Rouse drives a motorcycle that he uses for an honorable cause.

Rouse is a member of Bikers Against Child Abuse (BACA) aims to shield children from child abuse and empower them. If there is a report of a child in danger, a member will jump on their bike and go pick the child up, no questions asked.

Rouse has been involved in the organization for around four years and serves as a chapter secretary and agency liaison. Rouse acts as a primary contact for two children and their siblings.

BACA isn’t just there for a ride. They’re also there to support a child emotionally. They even have a ceremony for the kids, where they give them a biker jacket and a teddy bear that’s “filled up with love.”

“[A child] will go around, and they get introduced to everyone, and everybody gives this bear a hug,” Rouse said. “It’s pretty cool to see these kids go from being scared to running around, and it’s really cool to see them just be kids again.”

BACA primaries will also escort a child to court. To go on the stand and talk about trauma to a room full of strangers is an extremely daunting task for anyone, especially for a kid. Primary contacts attend to encourage their bravery.

“Heroes don’t wear capes; they wear small sneakers,” Rouse said.

While BACA kids age out at 18, the organization will still be there for support, regardless of age. Rouse even said one member, who goes by the road name “Rhythm,” was a former BACA child.

“Once a BACA child, always a BACA child,” Rouse said.

For Allen, Rouse’s character shines well beyond his professional skills.

“It says a lot when a former student remembers, years later, the kindness and care that was shown to them. That is something that I think really speaks to the kind of chef and person Scott is,” Allen wrote.

allisomk@miamioh.edu