Going to an event catered by West Virginia University Dining Services? If so, youre in for a treat, according to the National Association of College and University Food Services (NACUFS).
WVU earned second place in the category of Catering Special Event (Large School) at the 27th annual Loyal E. Horton Awards in May. The awards are presented by NACUFS , a non-profit organization comprised of more than 600 colleges and universities from the United States and abroad.
WVU Dining Services catering managers Kevin Hinderliter and Larry Koay will be recognized with a ribbon and plaque at the Calgary 2000 Dining Awards luncheon in late July. WVUs winning entry a portfolio of photos, recipes, the main menu and thank you letters from Resident Faculty Leaders Gus and Joan Paglialungas academic success recognition dinner will be placed on display during the conference.
“We thought the academic success recognition dinner would be a good event for us to present since it reflects the student-centered mission of the University,”Hinderliter said.
According to Hinderliter, he and the other members of WVU Dining Services strive to create an entire ambiance. A 10 -foot tall decorated display and a mocktail bar complete with non-alcoholic pina coladas, strawberry dacquiris and margaritas highlighted the academic success recognition dinner. At a recent picnic, the Dining Services staff used picnic baskets to serve food and placed bricks on the buffet table to give an outdoor feel to the affair.
“In the past year, WVU Dining Services has tried to create the WOW effect,”Hinderliter said.”This is simply the feeling the customers get upon first seeing our creations. We have strived to provide more breathtaking presentations.”
Those presentations include creative accents, such as Christmas lights to add a glow to evening events.
The Loyal E. Horton contest was created to promote creativity and sound nutrition in the areas of food presentation, menu variety and merchandising. The event is named for Loyal E. Horton, a former NACUFS president and founder of the association.
The contest is open to all institutional members of NACUFS and the Canadian College and University Food Service Association. According to the member organizations, the contest is a highly competitive and prestigious peer recognition program that draws entries from the United States, Canada and abroad. In 1999, a total of 158 entries were submitted, and grand prize winners in seven categories were selected from among the 51 award winners.