Dear Colleagues,
This month, the UBS Cooking School and community events calendars are packed with fun and engaging classes, events, and activations. Included are some delicious recipes for you to enjoy, as well as highlights of some of our Cooking School classes, Wellness Wednesday classes, and upcoming community events. Please join us for these exciting “Key Occasions.”
Regards,
The Community Management Team
Chef Sydney's Recipe
For an easy springtime side dish, few veggies are as quick to cook as asparagus. Just 4 - 8 minutes under the broiler is all you need, which gives a few minutes to throw together the accompanying avocado sauce. You could add a drizzle of your favorite condiment to the aioli, such as hot sauce or Dijon or Worcestershire or vinegar. This side dish works well served along with poultry, red meat, fish or shellfish, or beans and grains.
Broiled Asparagus with Avocado Aioli
Serves 4
Ingredients:
1 ½ lbs (680 grams) asparagus, trimmed of woody ends
About ¼ cup (60 mL) olive oil
Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
1 ripe avocado, halved and pitted
1 lemon (half for zest and juice, remaining ½ cut into wedges)
1 garlic clove, minced or grated
Instructions:
Chef Brian's Recipe
When my kids want to join me baking, I have to make sure we have an easy project. This is a go-to in our house: using store-bought canned & uncooked biscuits to make monkey bread. While the typical flavor pairing is cinnamon and sugar, I like to make a cheese and garlic version when we are the mood for bold, savory flavor. The flavor combinations are endlessly customizable: you can change the spices, cheeses, and even the aromatics - for example: scallion-black pepper-pecorino, caramelized onion-rosemary-gruyere, or jalapeno-paprika-pepper jack cheese.
Garlic & Cheesy Monkey Bread
Makes one 9-inch (23 cm) Bundt pan
Ingredients:
½ cup (113 g) + 2 tbsp (140 g) of unsalted butter, divided
3 garlic cloves, minced
4 oz (113 g) of shredded Parmesan or cheddar cheese (or a combination of both)
2 teaspoons (6 g) of dried oregano
2 cans (453 g) of uncooked, refrigerated buttermilk biscuits
Instructions:
Group Fitness Schedule
Join our talented trainers and enjoy a great workout in one of our group fitness classes. To sign up for the session of your choice, stop by the Fitness Center or email SH-Raleigh-FitnessCenter@ubs.com.
Hours of Operation:
Monday – Friday: 6:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m.
Mondays:
Tuesdays:
Wednesdays:
Thursdays:
Who has a birthday in May and is ready to celebrate? During each month, we host a Birthday Bash, complete with cake and a cheerful rendition of "Happy Birthday" sung to all of our co-workers with birthdays within the month. Our next celebration will take place on Thursday, May 7 from 3:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m. in the Falcons Room. Please register below to secure your spot:
The Fallen Soldier table is reserved to honor our missing loved ones or missing comrades in arms. The empty place represents Americans still missing from each of the six branches of service - Army, Navy, Marine Corps, Air Force, Coast Guard, Space Force – and civilians.
The Table set for one is small - Symbolizing the frailty of one prisoner
alone against their oppressors.
The Tablecloth is white - Symbolizing the purity of their intentions to
respond to their country's call to arms.
The single Red Rose displayed in a vase - A reminder of the families
and loved ones who keep the faith awaiting their return.
The Yellow Ribbon tied on the vase - Symbolizing the unyielding
determination to demand a proper accounting of our missing.
The Candle is lit - Symbolizing the upward reach of their
unconquerable spirit and our hope for their return.
A Slice of Lemon is on the bread plate – To remind us of their bitter
fate.
There is Salt upon the bread plate - Symbolic of the families' tears as
they wait.
The Glass is inverted - They cannot toast with us.
The Chair - The chair is empty. They are not here.
We should never forget the brave men and women who answered our nation’s call to serve and fought for our freedom with honor. There will be a Fallen Soldier table in the 2B Café for the month of May. The table is sponsored by the UBS Veterans & Allies Network (goto/veterans), and all are welcome to view it regardless of military service or background.
You voted, and the results are in - BLK & Bold is now the official coffee roaster at your coffee pantry!
BLK & Bold Specialty Beverages is a story of purpose, persistence, and powerful growth. Founded in 2018 by childhood friends Pernell Cezar and Rod Johnson, the Des Moines-based brand is the first Black-owned coffee company to achieve national retail distribution. Built on the simple motto “Coffee for you. Impact for our youth,” they commit 5% of their gross profits to nonprofits supporting at-risk youth across America. Since launching, BLK & Bold has grown to be Iowa’s fastest-growing private business, expanding from an online-only startup to being sold in over 11,000 retail locations, including Target, Whole Foods, and now Costco. They are also a certified B Corporation, proudly blending bold coffee with bold values.
Stop by our coffee pantries today and enjoy your preferred coffee – BLK & Bold. Thank you for voting and enjoy!
The UBS Cooking School offers free, virtual classes daily where employees can practice their cooking skills and prepare fantastic recipes designed by our onsite chefs. A few of our popular, upcoming classes are featured below:
May 14: Homemade Falafel with Hummus, Pita & Veg
May 15: Pad Thai At Home, Your Way
May 21: Thai Red Curry Halibut
May 29: Soft Shell Crabs 101
Use this link to view more of our virtual Cooking School classes: Cooking School
Celebrate Culture & Cuisine with Us!
This month, in partnership with MOSAIC, we’re celebrating Cinco de Mayo; Jewish American Heritage Month; and Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander (AANHPI) Heritage Month with the following menu items at the Café from 11:30 a.m. - 2:30 p.m.
Join us for a month of amazing flavors, cultural appreciation, and tasty traditions. Don’t miss out - come hungry and celebrate with us! For more information, please visit goto\mosaicamericas.
Every month, our Wellness Manager and registered dietitian Maya Billig (MS, RD, CDN) hosts informative virtual Wellness Wednesday classes. Don't miss this month's classes, be sure to sign up below!
Join us to celebrate mom with this special LEGO crafting event, where you'll get the chance to build a stunning flower piece by piece! Pick your 'flower,' take a seat, and enjoy this relaxing hands-on experience. We will meet on Thursday, May 7 from 12:00 p.m. - 1:00 p.m. in Alfred Escher Auditorium C. This is a unique event you will not want to miss, so please be sure to register below:
Our cafeteria continues to delight and surprise us all month long with several tasty offerings that will be available on the days listed below. Don’t miss out on these special items:
In honor of Mental Health Awareness Month this May, Premise Health will be hosting a tabling event on Tuesday, May 12 in the Exchange Café from 11:30 a.m. - 1:30 p.m. All are welcome and no registration is required!
Bring your colleagues, your favorite tune, and join us for a fun-filled afternoon of karaoke! Come for zero judgement, unexpected office talent, and maximum fun. We will meet on Wednesday, May 13 from 3:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m. in Alfred Escher Auditorium C. Please register here so we know to expect you, and we can't wait for you to steal the show!
Grab a drink, grab some yarn, and let's get stitching! Join Raleigh's new knitting club, where no experience is required, all materials will be provided and you will be sure to make some new friends along the way. Whether you are a knitting savant or brand-new to the craft, our talented instructor will guide you through every step. We will meet in Alfred Escher Auditorium C on Thursday, May 14 from 4:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m. Space is limited, so please sign up below to secure your spot. We can't wait to see you there!
In honor of Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander (AANHPI) Heritage Month, join our Book Club which will meet on Monday, May 18 from 4:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m. in the Tar Heels Room. We’re excited to feature Boat Baby, a powerful memoir by NBC News anchor and correspondent Vicky Nguyen, as this month’s book. Blending heroism with humor, Nguyen shares her family’s harrowing escape from Vietnam and her extraordinary journey from refugee to reporter. This meeting will cover the first 27 chapters of the book. Complimentary books will be provided to the first 10 registrants who enroll using the in-person link below, after which in-person registrants will need to secure their own copy. Those unable to join us in-person can still participate virtually using Teams, but will also be responsible for acquiring their own copy of the book.
What better way to celebrate the warmer weather than playing frisbee! Bring your colleagues and join us for frisbee fun in the sun. Whether you play traditional-style or try the game of KanJam, a fun twist where players aim to throw their frisbee into a can, there's something for everyone to enjoy! We will meet and play on the grassy area near the basketball court on Tuesday, May 19 from 12:00 – 1:00 p.m . Please register below so we know to expect you:
In celebration of the French Tennis Open, join us for a Super Mario Tennis Aces showdown on the Nintendo Switch for epic fun! Do you have what it takes to claim the victory, Super Mario-style? Prove it on Thursday, May 21 from 12:00 p.m. – 1:00 p.m. in the café seating area. Please be sure to register individually below to secure your spot:
Enjoy a variety of board games and card games guaranteed to bring light-hearted fun into your day! There will be a raffle with a prize of a new game once a month, and snacks and refreshments will be served. We will meet on Tuesday, May 26 from 12:00 p.m. - 2:00 p.m. in the café seating area. Please register below so we know to expect you:
Join us for a thrilling Ping-Pong free play on Wednesday, May 27! Showcase your skills to be crowned Raleigh's new ping pong champion and win bragging rights for the rest of the year! We will meet in Alfred Escher Auditorium C from 12:00 p.m. - 1:00 p.m.. Be sure to register here so ensure your spot in the competition!
Eat Right and Be Kind to Your Mind
Each year in May we honor Mental Health Awareness Month by looking into the various ways to boost mental health through daily habits. Eating patterns are undoubtedly connected to brain health, our mental wellbeing, and may help prevent certain mental health disorders.
In a fast-paced world, balancing work, family, and personal commitments can make maintaining consistent, healthy eating habits difficult. Mental state can affect eating habits, while diet can influence mood. Stress and low mood can disrupt appetite, food preferences, and meal patterns. Diets high in processed foods are associated with a higher risk of depression and anxiety. In contrast, eating patterns rich in fruits, vegetables, whole grains, nuts, fish, and healthy fats are linked to lower risk of mental health disorders. Simple habits like consuming fatty fish, leafy greens, berries, whole grains, and nuts while limiting processed foods can provide nutrients that support brain function and mood.
Diet quality appears more important than supplements alone for mental health. Eating whole foods that contain nutrients such as omega-3 fatty acids, antioxidants, vitamin D, folate, and selenium has been found to be most effective for brain function, memory and reducing depression or anxiety.
Research on the gut-brain axis shows that the gut microbiome can influence mood and emotional regulation. Probiotics may alter brain responses to emotional stimuli and reduce depressive symptoms in some individuals.
By emphasizing balanced, whole-food-based eating patterns and establishing regular meal times, we nourish our bodies and minds.
Sustainable Habits
May is a great time to turn sustainability awareness into everyday action. With spring in full bloom, the month offers a natural opportunity to focus on biodiversity, resource conservation, and simple habits that support a healthier environment both at work and at home.
World Bee Day, celebrated on May 20, highlights the vital role bees play as pollinators in maintaining healthy ecosystems and supporting global food systems. As part of UBS’s commitment to sustainability and biodiversity, beehives have been installed at several office locations across the Americas. These hives help strengthen local biodiversity while also raising awareness about the importance of pollinators and the ecosystems they support.
Sustainability can be supported through everyday practices. Simple actions such as properly sorting waste using pantry and copy‑room signage, reducing unnecessary printing, and being mindful of energy use help contribute to the building’s environmental goals.
These everyday efforts help reinforce sustainability as part of our daily routine this spring and support a more resilient environment inside and outside the workplace.
Reintroducing Your Counseling & Mental Health Services
Supporting the well‑being of our clients has always been the core mission at the UBS Employee Health Center, and we’re excited to share that our counseling and mental health services remain available and flexible. These services are designed to meet UBS employees where they are: navigating stress, adjusting to life changes, or simply looking for someone to talk to. Either through introductory no-cost consultations, in-person sessions or no-copay telehealth for 2026, our licensed behavioral health clinician offers confidential sessions at your pace and schedule.
May is the month for Mental Health Awareness. Take this time to reflect on how you may be feeling. Consider if your energy levels have been consistent, if your appetite and sleep have seen disruptions or you’re otherwise feeling unsatisfied. If not due to a health-related concern, these factors could be influenced by changes in mood, stress, or anxiety. You and those around you are the best resource to consider if there have been any changes. Our Behavioral Health Professional can provide quality care to help identify physiological or emotional roots.
If you could benefit from talking with a professional, consider reaching out. Our team is here to support you in any way.
All UBS (Non-Contractor) Employees can access our Health Center Monday – Friday from 8:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m., schedule online via the MyPremiseHealth portal, or by calling 201-273-9822. No cost, 30-minute mental health consults are available with Behavioral Health.