Students returned this semester to a newly-renovated caf.
Caf officials celebrated the grand reopening in August.
Chartwells is starting its second year as the primary food provider on campus.
During the summer, the space was given new flooring, paint, light fixtures, furniture, and decorations. Televisions also 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 of the caf. There also will be occasional cooking classes hosted at the grill.
The caf will continue to host Midnight Breakfast, an event for students to get breakfast from 10 p.m. to midnight during midterms and finals week.
The caf also is expanding its outreach to students. Students can now download the Dine on Campus app where the caf will post its menu every week. Students can also download Rockbot, an app that 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.”
Butler has also 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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