On July 1, Bon Appétit Management Company opened for its first full day at UChicago. It officially moved into Arley D. Cathey Dining Commons, Hutchinson Commons, Bartmart, Midway Mart, and several cafés, replacing Aramark the night before at 10 p.m.
“UChicago Dining is proud to welcome Bon Appétit to our campus this summer, and we look forward to the Fall Quarter when our students will be back and able to enjoy the exciting new menus,” the News Office said in a statement.
“Our Dream is to be the premier onsite restaurant company known for its culinary expertise and commitment to socially responsible practices. We are a culture driven to create food that is alive with flavor and nutrition, prepared from scratch using authentic ingredients,” reads the homepage of the company’s new UChicago website. The site also features dining schedules, daily menus, nutritional guides, and recipes.
All on-site UChicago Dining workers have been retained according to the UChicago Dining website but are now dressed in Bon Appétit’s chef attire of white aprons and hats. More food service positions will become available with the opening of Baker Dining Commons at Campus North Residence Hall.
Fourth-year Strongin Resident Assistant Hadi Iskandarani said his dining experience has already improved.
“My observations so far are the classier décor, and that there are so many desserts at the bar. And the food is so good. I had rice and green curry tofu with vegetables, French fries, lentil and fenugreek stew, and cranberry salad,” Iskandarani said of his first meal with the new provider.
Bon Appétit also introduced new restaurants in Hutchinson Commons. The dining area now sells food from Noodles, Flat Iron Grill, Taqueria, Saffron, and Pizza Pazza. Subway, Qdoba, and Papa John’s Pizza will no longer be offered. All meal plans are expected to remain the same, including guest meals, Maroon Dollars, and the number of meal plans and meal exchanges.
University staff and students taking summer classes will have access to Arley D. Cathey Dining Commons throughout the summer. All dining halls will open to University members on Monday, September 26, when the new school year begins.
