Michael Bender drives to the Pi Beta Phi house in Bethlehem, Pa. on Oct. 6, 2021. Bender arrives at the Pi Beta Phi house between 8:30 p.m. and 9 p.m., Monday through Friday, to begin cooking meals. (J24/Jordyn Pykon)

The kitchen in Lehigh University’s Pi Beta Phi house in Bethlehem, Pa. on Oct. 7, 2021. Michael Bender uses the kitchen to make meals for the Pi Beta Phi sorority. (J24/Jordyn Pykon)

Collete Gordon tells Michael Bender about her night in Lehigh University’s Pi Beta Phi kitchen in Bethlehem, Pa. on Sept. 28, 2021. “I love when the girls tell me about what is going on in their lives,” Bender said.

Michael Bender sharpens his knife in Lehigh University’s Pi Beta Phi kitchen in Bethlehem, Pa. on Oct. 6, 2021. Bender sharpens his knives so that he can cut produce properly. (J24/Jordyn Pykon)

Michael Bender cuts fresh tomatoes in Lehigh University’s Pi Beta Phi kitchen in Bethlehem, Pa. on Oct. 6, 2021. “I always use fresh produce and vegetables,” Bender said. (J24/Jordyn Pykon)

Michael Bender tastes the tomato soup he makes in Lehigh University’s Pi Beta Phi kitchen in Bethlehem, Pa. on Oct. 6, 2021. Bender tastes the food he makes before serving it to the Pi Beta Phi girls. (J24/Jordyn Pykon)

Michael Bender catches up with Collette Gordon, Esha Soni and Ariella Kutler in Lehigh University’s Pi Beta Phi kitchen in Bethlehem, Pa. on Oct. 6, 2021. While Bender is cooking all day, the sorority girls come in and out of the kitchen to talk to Bender. (J24/Jordyn Pykon)

Michael Bender takes the temperature of the chicken he cooks in Lehigh University’s Pi Beta Phi kitchen in Bethlehem, Pa. on Oct. 6, 2021. Bender made sure that each chicken was cooked to perfection. (J24/Jordyn Pykon)

Michael Bender teaches Sabrina Jeon and Brooke Hunstein how to fry chicken in Lehigh University’s Pi Beta Phi kitchen in Bethlehem, Pa. on Sept. 28, 2021. Bender loves to share his cooking skills with the Pi Beta Phi women. (J24/Jordyn Pykon)

Morgan Pickett washes the pots and pans used for the day in Lehigh University’s Pi Beta Phi kitchen on Oct. 4, 2021. The sorority girls take turns washing the dishes after Michael Bender is finished cooking for the day.

Michael Bender stands in his cooking jacket in Lehigh University’s Pi Beta Phi kitchen in Bethlehem, Pa. on Oct. 5, 2021. “I only wear my cooking jacket when I want to look my best,” Bender said. (J24/Jordyn Pykon)

Michael Bender scoops ice cream for the Pi Beta Phi women in Lehigh University’s Pi Beta Phi house on Oct. 4, 2021. Before Bender goes home, he likes to eat ice cream with the Pi Beta Phi women. (J24/Jordyn Pykon)

The Pi Beta Phi sorority women at Lehigh University in Bethlehem, Pa. never leave their house hungry. Michael Bender, known as Chef Mike to the Pi Beta Phi women, ensures that each Pi Beta Phi member always has a satiated appetite.

Bender arrives at work everyday between 8:30 p.m. and 9 p.m. He commutes 40 minutes from Washington Township, N.J. 

“I like to get started early,” Bender said. “We have some early lunch eaters.”

Bender serves lunch at 12 p.m. and dinner at 5 p.m. He leaves the Pi Beta Phi house at 5:30 p.m. Bender cooks lunch and dinner for the Pi Beta Phi sorority from Sunday night until Friday morning. Bender has been the chef for Lehigh University’s Pi Beta Phi chapter since January 2013. 

Bender entered the culinary field later in life. After turning age 50, Bender retired from General Motors with the intention of pursuing a leisurely retirement. Ultimately, the traditional retirement way of life did not suit Bender’s needs. 

“I tried golfing and relaxing, and even worked at a golf course for a little while,” said Bender. “I tried that lifestyle. It just wasn’t for me.”

Bender decided to enter culinary school and after working several jobs, he ended up working at Lehigh University. Bender has enjoyed being the chef for the Pi Beta Phi sorority more than any other job he has worked. 

“I prefer working this job, it’s more rewarding,” Bender said. “It doesn’t pay that much though. I wouldn’t be able to do this if I didn’t have a pension.”

While Bender enjoys his job, it has become a lot of work as he has gotten older, especially since he cooks all by himself. 

“What I don’t like is the volume of cooking. It’s a lot of cooking for one guy.”

To support Bender, the Pi Beta Phi girls clean the dishes and cooking equipment in the kitchen after Bender makes meals. The Pi Beta Phi girls also make an effort to help Bender put out food when they can. 

Bender works hard to accommodate the dietary needs and restrictions of all members of the Pi Beta Phi sorority. Bender reads about various diets in order to create food choices that make all of the Pi Beta Phi women happy. 

“I know a lot about food and the science behind it. I learn new things about food every day. Lately, I have been reading a lot about veganism,” said Bender. 

Bender has enjoyed getting to know the women in the Pi Beta Phi sorority for the past eight years. Bender even maintains relationships with Pi Beta Phi women after they have graduated. 

“I like meeting interesting young ladies from all over the world,” said Bender. “They still text me from time to time.”

Michael Bender is a beloved member of the Pi Beta Phi sorority and is appreciated immensely by the sorority women.