Caf officials recently celebrated a new aesthetic and redesign with a grand reopening.
Chartwells is starting its second year of being the primary food provider on campus. During the summer, the space was given new flooring, paint, light fixtures, furniture, and decorations. Televisions were mounted on the walls to show calorie counts and menu items.
Dining officials plan to introduce new programs for students. A farmer’s market will take place every second Wednesday of the month outside the caf. There will be occasional cooking classes hosted by Chef Alvin at the grill.
The caf will continue to host midnight breakfast during midterms and finals week. A welcome back barbecue also took place Sept. 4 in celebration of Labor Day.
Dining officials are expanding outreach to students. Students can download the Dine on Campus app, where the caf will post its menu every week. Students can download Rockbot, which allows them to request what music plays in the caf during dining hours.
Emily Anderson, director of dining services, oversaw the renovations and program planning.
“I think, now that we’re settled after our first year, that we really want to push it,” Anderson said.
Willie Butler, weekend brunch chef at the grill, is entering his 13th year working on campus.
“I think it’s a good change, and it was time for change anyway,” Butler said. “It makes you guys feel welcome, it makes it feel homey.”
During the weekend of Sept. 8, Butler plans to have a Freshmen Appreciation Day, with exclusive pancake flavors for new students. He has been experimenting with a new coffee pancake, with pecans, cinnamon, coffee extract, and caramel sauce.
Joey Derby, acting freshman, had his first brunch at the caf this past weekend.
“Not only is the caf clean and very well-maintained, but it has a cool photo wall that represents the student body perfectly,” Derby said. “And Willie’s pancakes are delicious.”
Students can follow caf promotions and events on the Twitter page @OCUdining.
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