The Barometer Online

Issue date: 4/7/09 Section: News

Media Credit: Luke Wenker Students eat "Moonlight Breakfast" in McNary Dining Center during the last week of Winter term. The breakfast offered students a chance to eat a free meal.

UHDS can now offer Oregon State students and staff the chance to dine at award-winning restaurants and cafeterias. This year, UHDS was recognized for its outstanding customer service, hospitality and quality of food, and was honored with the 2009 Ivy Award.

The Ivy Award, issued by Restaurants & Institutions Magazine, honors the country's best in restaurant and dining experience. Previously the award has been given to well-known chefs and universities, ranking OSU up there with Harvard and Stanford.

"One of the things that separated us from other nominees was our focus on a couple of different things," said Rich Turnbull, associate director of UHDS. "We are focusing on healthy menu choices, quality cuisine. We have a culinary faculty that meets once a week to review menu items and foods purchased. They are very committed to purchasing quality foods from local sources."

Previously, the Ivy Award has been a way to recognize restaurants that have demonstrated knowledge of hospitality excellence. In 1971 Restaurants & Institutions Magazine began to select restaurants and businesses from across the country that embodied the characteristics of a fine dining experience.

"We care about our customers. We wouldn't serve anything that we wouldn't eat ourselves. We listen to our customers and keep up with their demands," said sophomore Melissa Gabaldon, an employee of Rain Tree Café in the McNary Dining Hall.

"You know, last year there were demands for more fruit items, whole wheat pasta, things like that. And we have tried to cater to that demand," Gabaldon said.

According to Turnbull, UHDS has been working hard to incorporate more healthy choices for students and staff. "Next year, we want to focus more on published and easily accessible nutritional information. We also want to continue the work we've done in global cuisine and bring in some authentic street foods to campus."

The Ivy Award exemplifies OSU's dedication to the food service industry.

"Our culinary faculty has been working hard for this," Turnbull said. "Jeff LaMagra, the director of our culinary faculty, and Lisa Schubert have both taken big steps to improve the quality of what we do and our menu developments."

As the 2009 Ivy Award winner, Oregon State was nominated by readers of Restaurants & Institutions Magazine for their belief in the quality of UHDS's food service.

"I think that makes sense, considering the attitude of service UHDS has. They do a really great job of asking for feedback and catering to the demands of students," said sophomore Andrea Todd-Zebell. "They try and get students what they want."



Caitlin Cagle, staff writer

news@dailybarometer.com, 737-2231

Page 1 of 1

Article Tools