2nd Annual “Taste of KU Dining” Sampling Event for KU Faculty and Staff

July 23, 2014 (LAWRENCE, Kan.) – KU Dining Services will present the second annual “Taste of KU Dining,” a free event for KU faculty and staff. The event will be held at the Kansas Union Ballroom, 1301 Jayhawk Boulevard, on Wednesday, August 20, 2014, from 4:00-5:30 p.m.

All KU faculty and staff are invited to attend the event in appreciation of their service to the University and to receive important information about benefits available to them for dining options on campus. No RSVP is required. The event will offer faculty and staff an array of food and beverage samples representing all KU Dining retail and residential facilities. Included among the offerings will be redfish macque choux from Impromptu, breakfast quesadilla from The Market, smokey pulled pork slider from Mrs. E’s, tofu vegan buffalo wrap from North College Cafe, chorizo taco burger from Oliver Dining, southern pecan crème flavored coffee from The Roasterie Coffee Shops, Café Spice tamale from The Underground and many more.

Information will also be available at the event about the discounted KU Cuisine Faculty/Staff Dining Plan. The Plan offers the convenience of access to all 22 KU Dining retail and residential locations plus flexibility, selection and substantial savings.

Employees may take advantage of the KU Cuisine Faculty/Staff Dining Plan benefit by adding KU Cuisine Cash to their KU Cards. Adding as little as $45 gets a bonus $5 value immediately, usable at any KU Dining Services location. Participating faculty and staff then save an additional 10% off at the all-you-care-to-eat Residential Dining Centers (Mrs. E’s at Ekdahl Dining Center in Lewis Hall, Oliver Dining, or North College Café at GSP Hall). Plan participants may host University-affiliated guests such as students or colleagues at any KU Dining retail or residential location.

KU Cuisine Cash stays on the KU Card as long as a faculty or staff member is employed. KU Card holders with KU Cuisine Cash also receive 10% savings on Fridays at any KU Dining retail food court, restaurant, coffee shop or snack bar.

KU Dining is a division of the KU Memorial Unions. A not-for-profit service organization at the University of Kansas, the KU Memorial Unions provide services for the benefit of the University community.
For additional information on KU Dining Options: www.kudining.com. To sign up for the KU Cuisine Faculty/Staff Dining Plan online: www.kudining.com/facstaffplan.

Ah, Valentine’s Day…

Whether you love it or hate it, it comes around every February 14th. Flowers, chocolates, cupids, greeting cards, kisses, lovebirds, hearts and lace, they all represent this complicated holiday steeped in fascinating history and mythological mystery.

If you’re the type who is “in love with love,” you’ll go all out on this special day.

If you’re the type who’d rather skip the whole month of February, you’ll just need to grin and bear it!

But if you have to acknowledge Valentine’s Day, before you head out for a high-priced dinner off campus, consider enjoying a special Valentine’s Day meal with KU Dining, and put the dollars you’ll save toward movie tickets, a bouquet, or a nice sensible gift, like a singing teddy bear!

KU’s three campus dining centers—Mrs. E’s in Lewis Hall, Oliver Dining in Oliver Hall and North College Café in GSP—will be serving a special menu for dinner on Friday, February 14th. Created with care by the chefs in KU Dining, you don’t want to miss out on a great line up of foodie favorites: grilled KC strip steak, golden brown butterfly shrimp, baked potatoes, fresh sautéed veggies, and a bountiful salad buffet.

After dinner, impressive dessert bars will round out the meal at each of the dining centers: chocolate fondue with fresh fruits, pretzels, marshmallows and brownie bites at Oliver Dining; fresh strawberry pie and decadent chocolate chunk cookies at Mrs. E’s; and Tiramisu, fresh strawberries and an ultimate chocolate mousse cake at North College Cafe.

Those who have a KU meal plan or KU Cuisine Cash are set. Guests of our residents can use a “guest pass,” a benefit of those who have dining plans, or they may pay the $9.50 door price, which is still one great deal.

What!? No valentine? Even if you don’t have a special someone this year, KU Dining wants you to be their valentine and join them for dinner, made with love!

It's a Wonderful Brunch

      Today at Mrs. E's, Oliver and North College Cafe Dining Halls, KU Dining Services hosted a wonderful brunch themed It's a Wonderful Brunch.  




      



      Staff and students enjoyed Uncle Billy's Banana Nut French Toast, Bedford Falls Bacon Pancakes, Hand Carved Prime Rib, Scones, Muffins, Mary Bailey's Spinach and Gruyere Quiche, Egg Nog and Chocolate Fondue!





       While visiting each of the locations, we couldn't help but taste some of the delicious food! No surprise, but KU Dining Services really outdid themselves.  It's a Wonderful Brunch was a huge success and we can't wait to see what Mrs. E's has in store for Late Night Breakfast this Sunday night at 10pm!


      If you didn't get a chance to attend this event, check out some pictures on our Facebook page!

Sharing Holiday Secrets

Sheryl Kidwell, Assistant Director of Residential Dining at KU Dining Services, has shared her one of her favorite holiday dessert recipes, Pumpkin Bars. Sheryl was extremely excited when asked to share this recipe. These pumpkin bars are served at the Residence Halls on campus and are among the favorites with the students. 

     

 Below, you can find the recipe for this delectable holiday dessert:

            Ingredients:
                  1C          Sugar Granulated

                  ½ C        Oil

                  2            Egg

                  1C          Pumpkin Canned

Combine Sugar, Oil, Eggs and Pumpkin until smooth.

                  1 tsp.      Salt Iodized

                  1¼C       Flour All-Purpose

                  ¾ C        Baking Powder Dbl Action

                  ½ tsp.     Baking Soda

                  ½ tsp.     Spice Cinnamon Ground

Add dry ingredients and mix until blended. Bake at 325 F for 25 minutes.

                  2 oz.       Cheese Cream Loaf

                  2 T          Margarine Whipped

                  1 ½ C     Sugar Powder 6x Cane

                  2¾ tsp.   Evaporated Milk

Combine frosting ingredients and whip until smooth. Take frosting and spread. Portions yield 3” squares.

Stay tuned for more KU Dining holiday recipes through the rest of the semester!  Try them out, snap a picture, tag KUDining Services on Facebook and let us know what you think!

All Hallows Eve Fall Food Festival

      Students from around campus came to Oliver Hall Wednesday, Oct., 24, to sample food from over 20 different vendors.  Among the 20 vendors in attendance at the All Hallows Eve Fall Food Festival were KU Dining internal brands Brellas, Za Pizza and Impromptu as well as other external brands like General Mills, Hormel, Good Natured Family Farms and many more.  Tony the Tiger even stopped by to say hi to his friends and listen to their opinions.
      


      
      

      
      Students were encouraged to sample food from each vendor and fill out a questionare expressing their opinion about the food currently served in the dining halls as well as what they wanted to see added to the menu.  Along with the fun of food samples came the opportunity to win some prizes to get everyone ready for Halloween.  If you missed it this year, don't worry! The All Hallows Eve Fall Food Festival will be back next year with even more good food and fun.

Check out more pictures from this event on our Facebook page!