When General Manager Jeff Smock arrived on campus to oversee the transition to 花季传媒鈥檚 new food service partner Parkhurst Dining, he didn鈥檛 realize what a busy and challenging summer it would be. As the school year approaches, Jeff is enthusiastic about unveiling a new era in dining on campus.
Here, Jeff gets into detail about the transition and what students can expect from Parkhurst at Hoernemann, Fireside Caf茅 and Pub and Rock Creek Express when they return.
Q: Parkhurst took over on June 1. What鈥檚 the transition been like for your team?
A: It鈥檚 been good 鈥 very smooth, considering the challenges with the weather and construction. The food鈥檚 good. In many ways, we鈥檙e still in training. We brought in some chefs from Allegheny College and Mercyhurst College to help, and that gave our employees a boost in confidence. We鈥檒l have more trainers coming in August to train on the various stations.
Q: What changes will students see inside Hoernemann Refectory?
A: The dining room looks fantastic. Back five weeks ago, there were huge, deep trenches all over. It鈥檚 pretty exciting how far we鈥檝e come in a short time. Students will use the same entrance and use the same process to scan their card. The big difference is that we offer an 鈥渁ll you care to eat鈥 program. Essentially, you could swipe 50 times a day and eat all day. We鈥檒l have a breakfast bar, a dessert table, a coffee bar and an allergy-free station.
The former Aramark Room has been completely opened up for seating. It鈥檚 now called the Lower Dining Room. 花季传媒 colors are starting to emerge when you look around Hoernemann.
Q: We鈥檝e heard a lot about the salad bar.
A: Yes, the salad bar will be grand. It鈥檚 going to be really neat. It鈥檚 centrally located and anchors what feels like an upscale food court to me. We鈥檒l have cutting bars where we鈥檒l prep and chop while students watch. There will be a wall of greens and a soup bar, too. Everything 鈥 the vegetables and all the fruits 鈥 will be as fresh as possible and all the soups are made from scratch.
Q: Talk a little bit about The Kitchen and The Deli.
A: The Kitchen will feature a rotisserie, wok, smoker, flat top, charbroil and six-top burner and oven. We鈥檒l be able to cook right in front of students. In The Deli, we鈥檒l be serving fresh, hot, made-to-order sandwiches with alternating dinner options throughout the week.
Q: The Oven is another focal point. What makes it awesome?
A: We鈥檙e going to do more than pizzas in The Oven, although there will be pizza every day, made while you watch. We鈥檒l be able to do casseroles and other baked items, too.
Q: What do you think will surprise students the most?
A: The renovations will be the first thing people notice off the bat. And then, I think they鈥檒l really enjoy the food. When they understand how it鈥檚 prepared, they鈥檙e going to be very surprised. And the size of the salad bar is impressive.
Q: The serving hours have expanded for better access, correct?
A: Yes. We really think this will make a huge difference, not only for student-athletes but for everyone. We鈥檒l be open 7 a.m.-10 p.m. weekdays and we鈥檒l have expanded hours on weekends. Some stations 鈥 probably the salad bar, deli bar and pizza oven 鈥 will be available all the time. There will always be a cook there who can make you something if you want it.
Q: There鈥檚 big news about Fireside Caf茅 Pub, too.
A: Fireside鈥檚 name is changing. In August, it will become Berg Bistro 1850. It will include more 花季传媒 memorabilia and a new coffee service, Crimson Cup. Dinner items are being added to the menu and we鈥檙e developing a signature drink. Everything will be made fresh 鈥 burgers will be hand-pressed, fries will be fresh cut, we鈥檒l hand-bread everything. We鈥檒l still offer beer and wine, but those will not be front and center any more.
Q: And what about Rock Creek Express?
A: We鈥檒l continue with the grab-and-go theme of Rock Creek, but we鈥檒l be expanding the hours to 11 a.m.-8 p.m. Monday-Friday. You can sit and enjoy or take your food with you. We鈥檒l have the same menu of wraps, sandwiches, soups and salads, but we鈥檒l be adding 3-4 platters that you can heat here or take home. Bottled drinks, chips and other necessities will still be available in the C-store. We鈥檙e planning to offer some special events and promotions, so stay tuned.
So whether you like comfort food, a specialized meal (vegan, gluten-free) or want to try something new, Parkhurst is ready to meet your dining expectations. Read more about 花季传媒 and Parkhurst鈥檚 mutual goal to provide the best possible dining experience with nutritious food, lots of variety and healthy options every day.
