Syracuse University Food Services honored with national dining award

Syracuse University Food Services honored with national dining awardAugust 01, 2007Sara Millersemortim@syr.edu

The National Association of College & University Food Services (NACUFS) has recognized Syracuse University Food Services with a 2007 Loyal E. Horton Dining Award in the category of Residence Hall Dining — Single Stand Alone Concept/Outlet. SU received NACUFS’ highest award, gold recognition, for excellence among large schools. In addition to winning the gold award, SU Food Services was awarded the grand prize among all gold winners for overall best entry in its category. NACUFS honored the grand prize winners of the 34th annual Loyal E. Horton Dining Awards at its annual conference July 11-14 in Seattle, Wash.

Open to all institutional members of NACUFS, the contest is highly competitive and is a prestigious peer recognition program. The overall competition recognizes exemplary menus, presentation, special events and new dining concepts in collegiate dining services. Judging of the 170 entries in seven categories was completed by a panel of judges representing NACUFS member institutions.

In the Single Stand Alone Concept/Outlet category, SU Food Services distinguished itself in five criteria: menu selection, merchandising and presentation, marketing, nutritional soundness and overall impression. Award determination is based on the accumulation of points in these categories, with entries earning 90 percent of all available points receiving gold recognition.

SU Food Services entered its residential dining program and menu into the Single Stand Alone Concept/Outlet category. This compared SU’s dining program against the other large schools in NACUFS. The dining program and menu includes everything that is involved in providing meals to SU students, from daily menu options to theme meals. “It is an honor to be recognized by our peers,” says David George, director of Syracuse University Food Services. “At SU Food Services, we strive every day to excel at what we do and work to make our customers’ dining experience the best it can be.”

SU Food Services is an award-winning program that has been recognized both locally and nationally for its excellence, professionalism, creativity and commitment to students. SU Food Services operates five residential dining centers on campus, serving more than 6,700 students on meal plans, and offers a wide variety of choices in its dining centers, food courts, catered events and other services.