PHILADELPHIA--(BUSINESS WIRE)--As college students return to campus this fall, many may find that their dining hall has been transformed into a culinary theater. Fueled by popular TV shows, such as Top Chef, hundreds of dining halls served by ARAMARK now feature interactive culinary environments, including food theater stations, culinary competitions, chef showcases, restaurant nights, and special theme events, that allow students to actively participate in their dining experience.
“It has always been our philosophy to remove the ‘walls’ to the kitchen whenever possible and have our chefs in front of our guests, creating an exciting, interactive culinary theater,” said Randy Bain, National Culinary Director, ARAMARK Higher Education. “Our chefs are highly visible and accessible—whether it is to provide meal recommendations, cooking tips or just a friendly conversation.”
At ARAMARK partner campuses across North America, students are enjoying fresh, nutritious meals and interactive culinary experiences including:
-
Food Theater Stations: Students can watch campus chefs prepare
and serve their culinary creations from action/exhibition stations in
ARAMARK’s The Fresh Food Company®, a “kitchen-free” market-style
restaurant. Using fresh ingredients, students can also customize their
meals at a variety of made-to-order menu stations including: Mongolian
Grill, Vegan Stations, Taco and Burrito Stations, Pasta Stations,
Omelet and Waffle Stations, Home-Style Entrée Stations, Mediterranean
Stations, Dessert Stations and more.
- View ARAMARK’s The Fresh Food Company® in action.
- “Student Iron Chef” Competitions: Students are demonstrating their culinary skills during on campus cooking competitions, judged by the campus chefs and special guests, such the college/university president, professors, coaches, and chefs from local restaurants. The competitions, which are often themed to build awareness of sustainability, locally grown produce or a featured menu item, allow students to develop their skills while being an integral part of the culinary action.
- Chef Showcases: Chat with the campus chef! “Chef Showcase” events provide students with an opportunity to meet their campus chefs, learn about menu planning, cooking techniques, recipe ideas and more, all while enjoying a delicious meal.
- Restaurant Nights: Chefs from local restaurants are invited to engage with the campus community and create special restaurant dining nights. Students meet the local chefs, learn tips from the experts and sample the restaurant’s signature menu items.
- Theme Events: To truly bring the meal experience to life, many campuses are holding theme nights that allow students to enhance their culinary enjoyment though live music, special food sampling opportunities, and interactions with chefs. Themes range from Cinco de Mayo and Super Bowl events to Mediterranean themed meals and national food observances, such as Vegetarian Awareness Week.
In addition to engaging students in their culinary experience, ARAMARK is committed to providing its chefs with the skills, training and tools needed to excel in their careers. Since 2010, more than 50 ARAMARK Higher Education chefs have graduated from the Culinary Institute of America’s prestigious ProChef Certification program, a comprehensive professional development and culinary skills verification program which measures core culinary, managerial and financial acumen, including a chef’s skill in taste, proper cooking methods, authenticity, plating, use of all ingredients, proper food handling and sanitation, and disposal of food waste.
About ARAMARK Higher Education
ARAMARK Higher Education is dedicated to excellence in dining, facility, conference center, and stadium and arena services. ARAMARK enhances the living and learning experience and environment for more than 600 colleges and universities throughout North America. For more information and a list of our services, visit www.aramarkhighered.com.
About ARAMARK
ARAMARK is a leader in professional services, providing award-winning food services, facilities management, and uniform and career apparel to health care institutions, universities and school districts, stadiums and arenas, and businesses around the world. The company is recognized as the industry leader in FORTUNE magazine's "World's Most Admired Companies," and as one of America's Largest Private Companies by both FORTUNE and Forbes magazines. ARAMARK seeks to responsibly address issues that matter to its clients, customers, employees and communities by focusing on employee advocacy, environmental stewardship, health and wellness, and community involvement. Headquartered in Philadelphia, ARAMARK has approximately 255,000 employees serving clients in 22 countries. Learn more at the company's Web site, www.aramark.com, or www.twitter.com/aramarknews