Case Western Takes Top Honors for Residential Dining Concepts
- by Guest
By Beth Kretschmar, Marketing Manager, Case Western Reserve University
Rashawn Robinson, Line Cook, Leutner Commons, executing one of the award winning menu concepts
Case Western Reserve University in Cleaveland, OH, and its Bon Appétit team were recently awarded the grand prize in the residential dining concepts category at the National Association of College and University Food Services (NACUFS) Loyal E. Horton Dining Awards luncheon held in Dallas, TX.
The judges’ criteria included menu concepts, merchandising and presentation, marketing, nutrition and wellness programs, as well as sustainability goals and an overall “wow” factor.
Before winning the overall grand prize, Case Western had received the gold medal in the residential dining concepts medium-school category in May. The recent multimillion-dollar renovation of Case Western’s main residential dining hall, Leutner Commons, no doubt played a part in the recognition by NACUFS.
“It is such great news to hear that such a great facility is getting recognized nationally and winning GOLD,”
wrote Samantha Nardone, vice president of the residential housing authority and food committee, in a letter of congratulations. “You all have done such an amazing job with using the new facility to its highest potential to give students an amazing food experience everyday. It’s very much appreciated by students and now nationally.”
The recently renovated café interior that contributed to Case Western’s win
San Francisco-based EDG designed the interior of the environmentally friendly structure after being approached by Bon Appétit to help conveying the company’s commitment to serving “Farm to Fork” fresh and sustainable fare in a “market-like” setting.
“Leutner has received critical acclaim from local and national media and the campus community since its grand reopening last fall,” said Jim O’Brien, Bon Appétit’s Resident District Manager. “It’s wonderful to be recognized by an exceptional organization such as NACUFS as well.”