Fall 2023 Campus Dining Today - 59

" It was a reward for students, many of whom have
never experienced fine dining like this, " Kershner said.
" In addition, we were able to execute techniques that
weren't translatable to the scale of university food
service. "
This encouraged participation among
students who were eager to attend. Six
winners could choose a guest to join them.
Upon selection, students were presented
with an exceptional five-course menu and
were able to provide any special dietary
needs to the culinary team for necessary
accommodations.
For three months, the five-course meal was
planned and prepared by a different chef
monthly, allowing each the opportunity to
exercise their creative freedom to develop
the menu.
Sushi Chef Chris Mejia was excited to have
creative control over the menu to produce a
completely unique meal.
" The most memorable part was seeing
the excitement of the guests as they
experienced a meal with their friends and made new
connections, " Mejia said.
For each event, six student winners and their guests
were seated at the chef's table, which was decorated
and set for mingling, while they observed their meal
prepared before them. Each course was individually
plated and garnished by the chef. The space, located
in the main dining area, intrigued curious onlookers
who were included with samples shared from
the special menu. This visibility also helped build
enthusiasm for the ongoing series.
Across all three events, SUNY Geneseo CAS hosted
a total of 36 student winners for these chef-inspired
meals. They advertised the events with campuswide
posters, digital signage, social media, and email
communications.
The following spring, they promoted the same
event in a different format that allowed for more
participants. Since this event was a larger scale,
there was only one dinner, which increased the
desire to attend. With the new format, a different
chef took charge of each individual course on the
menu. Separately, CAS invited some faculty and staff
members, since the previous series generated a lot of
interest among them.
One student invited his parents and grandmother to
experience the care that went into the food the chef's
team created.
" It was amazing being able to show what we're doing
here at SUNY Geneseo, " Kershner said.
Following the success of the Chef's Lottery event,
and while still working around lingering staffing
shortages and supply chain issues, CAS sought ways
to reignite the sense of excitement in both students
and employees.
One benefit of offering a feedback form is that CAS
gains valuable insights into the experiences and
expectations of their customers. This helped inspire
a contest held within the student body called A
World of Flavors Recipe Contest. This contest invited
all students to submit unique recipes to compete
to have theirs selected, prepared, and judged for a
chance to win great prizes.
Kieran Kelley, a student contestant, used the recipe
contest as an opportunity to connect with his cultural
roots.
" I have always been interested in exploring the
heritage of my Ukrainian side of the family, but it
wasn't until the war in Ukraine began that I felt a
stronger connection to my roots, " Kelley said in his
recipe submission bio. " With the discovery of my
great-grandmother's Medivnyk recipe, I saw it as an
opportunity to learn more about my Ukrainian culture
and honor my family's traditions. "
CAS prepared the selected dishes during dinner
service at Letchworth Dining Complex, which also
serves an average of 1,000 students per day during
dinner service alone. Together, the assistant general
manager and head chef of Letchworth Dining
Complex, along with support from the marketing
EXCITING EVENTS AND ENGAGING OCCASIONS
| CAMPUS DINING TODAY
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Fall 2023 Campus Dining Today

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