Wednesday, May 13, 2015

Ekdahl Residential Dining Center, Mrs. E’s, Wins National Award

The National Association of College and University Food Services (NACUFS)  announced last week that KU Dining Services’ Ekdahl Residential Dining Center, affectionately known as Mrs. E’s, has won the Silver Award for Best Residential Dining Concepts in the Large School Category. 

“We are extremely proud of our KU Dining Services team,” said David Mucci, director of the KU Memorial Unions.  “Their hard work has resulted in winning a NACUFS award not only this year, but last year as well.”

Named for a NACUFS founder, past president and highly regarded innovator, the Loyal E. Horton Dining Award selections are based on an operation’s ability to create exemplary menus, presentations, special events, and new dining concepts. The award also provides an avenue for collegiate dining operations to share ideas and creative presentations with other campus entities.

“It takes a team effort to win prestigious awards like this one,” said Nona Golledge, KU Dining Services Director.  “We’re thrilled for the dedicated staff at Mrs. E’s.  This is a well-deserved recognition.”

Mrs. E’s employs a staff of nearly 200, with the majority of those being part-time student workers.  The facility received a $5 million renovation in 2013, and with that came the addition of 11 new food concept areas, including Smokey’s BBQ and Daz-E Hill Grill.  One innovative concept, called the KYou Zone, caters to students with special dietary needs, including gluten free, vegetarian/vegan and kosher.

KU Dining Services is a function of the KU Memorial Unions and serves the KU campus through residential dining centers, retail cafés and catering services. Operating over 20 dining locations campus-wide and employing nearly 500 students, KU Dining is committed to sustainability and ensuring the collegiate community options for affordable and healthy dining on campus. For more information about the KU Memorial Unions or any of its programs or services, contact Claudia Larkin, 785.864.2449.