UC s Residential Restaurant a Winner Again and Again

Food Management

magazine highlights CenterCourt at the University of Cincinnati among the winners of the magazine’s 2007 best concept awards competition. The awards will be featured in a special editorial section of the July Issue of

Food Management

and will be presented at the magazine’s annual IDEAS Conference Oct. 30-Nov. 1 in Las Vegas.

CenterCourt was among the three winners selected for the magazine’s Best New Facility category. UC’s all-you-care-to-eat residential restaurant – located in the Campus Recreation Center Complex – was described by the magazine as “a visually striking new dining facility that immediately elevates on-campus dining and gives the urban university a first-class gathering spot it did not have before.”

The other two noncommercial food service institutions selected for the Best New Facility category are the University of Southern Mississippi’s Power House Restaurant and Hearst Publications/Restaurant Associates Café 57 in midtown Manhattan. The annual competition, judged by Food Management editorial staff, recognizes exceptional achievement and innovation.

UC’s CenterCourt is a 390-seat residential restaurant that last year was also awarded the gold medal and grand prize in the single stand-alone concept category from the National Association of College and University Food Services (NACUFS). The restaurant, managed by UC Campus Services in partnership with ARAMARK Food Services, features seven taste stations including a Mongolian grill, a brick oven for fresh-baked pizzas and breads, a salad bar and vegan and vegetarian offerings in line with the health-conscious philosophy of the Campus Recreation Center.

“Consistent with the recognition of our previous national awards, it’s an honor to be recognized by our peers in the food service industry,” says Todd Duncan, director of Housing & Food Services. “However, our greatest recognition comes from our satisfied customers at UC and in the surrounding community who choose to dine with us on a daily basis.”

“It’s a great honor and pleasure for the CenterCourt team to be recognized nationally among the best concept category of Food Management magazine,” says Spyros Gravas, UC director of Board Operations, University Dining Services. “Our innovative dining program and our talented management and staff continue to provide cutting-edge food services that exceed our customers’ expectations. Congratulations to the team!”

Food Management, published by Penton Media, is the leading business publication for foodservice directors, managers, contract management executives and others in the noncommercial sector of the foodservice industry. Readers of the magazine oversee foodservice operations in colleges and universities, business dining, healthcare, K-12 schools, museums and sports and entertainment venues.