Where'd All the Food Go?

               Say you’re studying for a tough exam that’s coming up in of your harder classes. You study most of the afternoon and into the evening. Somewhere in all that studying you just happened to lose track of time. Then you realize that it’s 9 o’clock, and you’re really hungry by this point. Too bad, unless you have some money and time to spend you’re not getting any food tonight.

               That’s right Blazer closed at 8 each night, so it looks like that all you can eat buffet is out of the question. I’ve actually talked with one of my friends who works at Blazer, and he says that they are really understaffed most of the time. This might be a big reason of why they aren’t really open that late.

               But wait what about the Student Center. Nope, all the restaurants within the Student Center also close at 8. They are usually all packed up by 8 so don’t even try to sneak in there at 8:05 for a bite to eat. South campus has both Ovid’s and K-Lair which are both open late, so north campus has to have something, right? Wrong.

               The only places to grab a late night bite on north campus are the restaurants located about a block west of Champion’s Court. Even some of these restaurants close pretty early on weekdays. These restaurants are nice, but they don’t accept meal swipe or flex.

               So as you can see this is kind of a big issue for college students. The solutions is pretty simple though, either open Blazer or the Student Center later, or just build a new café/restaurant with later hours. I’m sure if students bring up this problem enough then Aramark or the school would have to do something; I mean just think of the profits they could be getting being the only restaurant open late.

http://uky.campusdish.com/Locations.aspx

Following Suit

I found a pretty good article today on outsourcing college dining when I was at the library today. It was discussing the views on a deal that Texas A&M made in 2012 with a company called compass that was based out of North Carolina. Their situation was very similar to what the University of Kentucky is going through with Aramark.

               The article explained that much of the initial protest came from the staff that was currently employed by Texas A&M. Many employees worried that they might not be hired by this new company or whether or not their benefits would be the same. So therefore in the contract struck with Compass one of their big points was that 100% of the university’s staff would be hired. This quieted most opposition to the deal. This is very similar to what happened at UK; the university made sure that its current employees were given jobs and taken care of.

               The other negative that was brought up was whether or not the students would be supplied for in this deal. When the company started its operations that fall, students noticed much more variety and quality of food. On the other hand the prices of food went up, and according to the contract Compass had the right to raise meal plan prices by 3% each year for the 10 year contract. Because I’m a freshman this year, I haven’t been able to notice a change in the food at UK. In Aramark’s first year under this new contract they actually lowered the price of meal plans.

               Texas A&M was one of the first universities to hand over their dining services to a private company, but it sure wasn’t the last. Now nearly two years later the University of Kentucky is jumping on the bandwagon and is actually benefiting even more than Texas A&M did in its first year.

Mogilyanskaya, Alina. "An Outsourcing Deal As Big As Texas May Have Even Wider Appeal." Chronicle Of Higher Education 59.17 (2012): 25. Academic Search Complete. Web. 26 Sept. 2014.

Fusion of Freshness and Flavor

               So I thought that I would try something new this week. There’s a small place called Fusion located on the second floor of Erikson Hall that looked like it was pretty good.         

               Sadly I decided to go right after I got out of class so the first thing I saw was the massive line that stretched more than half-way down the hallway. In case you didn’t know it’s not the best idea to eat on campus right after class gets out, because everyone who also just got out of class is thinking the exact same thing. The lines are usually shorter in the 20 minutes or so in the middle of the hour. This of course doesn’t work for all campus eats, for example Ovid’s café seems likes it’s packed when it opens and closes each and every day.

               After waiting some time to get to see exactly what they offered at Fusion, I got to see that their menu contained some obscure foods and also some normal lunch items as well. They had various sandwiches and wraps, pizza, and even quesadillas. Then I saw they had daily specials that were a little unusual; they had sour bamboo soup and even curry. They seemed to have a large variety of food that spanned many nationalities. They also offer a great Wildcat Deal at Fusion. You can get an entrée and two with your meal swipe. This is great when trying to use up all your meal swipes each week.

               Overall I would say that it is a great place to go try. The food is good and definitely a change from the usual. Fusion’s small size does create some big lines and there’s not an abundance of seating but that’s the only bad things that I can say about it. I recommend a trip over to Erikson Hall to try it out.

http://uky.campusdish.com/Locations/Fusion.aspx

Reliving the Past for K-Lair

               The new K-Lair in Haggin Hall has got me hooked even after only going there once. Some freshmen might not know that this isn’t the first time K-Lair has opened up on campus. So because K-Lair has become my favorite restaurants I thought I would share a brief history of the old K-Lair.

               K-Lair was opened up on the University of Kentucky’s campus in 1961. It was located next to Haggin Hall and used to be the football team’s locker room until it was converted into a restaurant. K-Lair’s name is even significant in itself. The K stands for Kentucky of course and Lair is because it’s what wildcats live in. The establishment celebrated its 50^th anniversary in 2011 and was 52 years old when their old building was torn down in 2013 to make room for the new Haggin Hall. It was actually the second oldest restaurant on campus, short of the student center.

               In the early days of K-Lair they specialized in mainly burgers. As student’s changed their taste buds, K-Lair also changed their menu. Before it was torn down, they were growing quite popular for their chicken tenders and chicken sandwiches. The chef at the time also made a chili that made people have to come back for more.

               When UK announced in 2012 the demolition of K-Lair most students wondered, where would they go? The lines at Ovid’s were already long and the all-you-can-eat buffet weren’t exactly appetizing. It hardly seemed necessary after the renovation that had been done just two years earlier. Alumni also were disheartened because of all the memories made there. It was sad to see a piece of history go, but now that new K-Lair opened it can serve the Universities need of more dining options and also provide students with a great atmosphere.

http://www.kyforward.com/our-universities/2014/08/27/return-of-an-icon-k-lair-grill-is-back-on-uk-campus-in-newer-bigger-still-greasy-cool-form/

http://kykernel.com/2011/09/22/k-lair-celebrates-50-years/

http://outofthebigblue.com/2011/09/27/then-and-now-k-lair-celebrates-50-years/

http://kykernel.com/2012/10/24/knocking-down-k-lair-limits-students-dining-choices/

K-Lair Just Got Another Regular Customer

               Today I decided to go visit K-Lair. I had heard some things about the old K-Lair but they weren’t good things. I had also heard a lot of great things about the new K-Lair. After hearing mixed reviews I had to try this place for myself.

               Upon arriving at K-Lair I couldn’t help but notice the massive amounts of construction going on all around the restaurant. I wasn’t sure if it was finished or not because everything inside was clean and new, but there weren’t any people there at 11:30 on a Wednesday. So I walked up to the counter and looked at the many options they had to choose from. They had many types of burgers, chicken wings, salads, wraps, and melts. Many of these items were stamped with the Kentucky Proud logo. It seemed like as soon as I ordered I looked back and saw there was now a line ten or so people long.

               After I got my food and poured my drink from one of those massive drink machines with 150 different drink options, I found a comfy booth to sit at. I got to looking around and saw all the different seating options, the wood paneling, all the TV’s, and even the sign from the old K-Lair. It was just a great atmosphere. As I was eating, I kept seeing the manager doing odd jobs like refilling the drink machine, wiping the trashcans, and cleaning up trays. I couldn’t believe it, this manager cared so much he did these jobs himself instead of ordering someone else to. As a result, I respect this man’s character and know that when I come back, the restaurant will again be in pristine condition like it was still new.

               I liked K-Lair so much I was hesitant to post this for fear that everyone might discover this treasure hidden within Haggin Hall. I encourage everyone to go, but it might turn out to be one of those secret places that you don’t tell everyone else about. K-Lair is definitely my new favorite restaurant and I will definitely be going back soon.

Speech Reflection

I thought I did pretty well on my speech today. I guess I could have prepared more; I felt kind of nervous standing up there. My joke about 38% of students dropping out of school due to starvation went well. My slideshow didn't seem as flashy or informative as some of the other peoples' slideshows, because I decided I would just verbally say all of my information. When Ms. Compton held up the 4 minute sign, I was surprised it had gone by that fast. I quickly wrapped things up and answered questions.In fact I forgot about my slideshow for most of the presentation and I didn't even show the last slide. When answering questions I felt bad because I couldn't answer the question about off campus restaurants, and I had no clue why some places accept meal swipes and others don't. Overall I think I did well and I'm hoping for a good grade.

Ovid's for All

               Today, all throughout my morning classes, I was unusually hungry. Which leads to only one conclusion for lunch, Ovid’s. You see I had been there once before and I realized they have pretty large portion sizes and great food, so I had to go.

               I don’t know if it’s the fact that I’m a freshman or what, but I also found this café difficult to get to at first. It’s located in the William T. Young Library, but there isn’t an entrance to the restaurant from the library. So don’t look like a freshman and wander around the library for 5 to 10 minutes looking for Ovid’s. It’s entrance is on the back end of Willy T. facing Woodland Glen.

               Like Intermezzo the first thing you might notice is the line. Usually the line is pretty long and you can’t quite see the menu from the back. Once you do get a look at the menu though, you’ll see that the meal selections top most other places, except Blazer and Commons of course. Everything from hearty sandwiches to tangy wraps, and also a salad chef for healthy eating. Most of these food items they’ll make right in front of you at one of their two grill stations. They even have a Big Blue Special which is always amazing. They also offer a Wildcat Deal to use up those meal swipes.

               Once you get your delicious food you’re going to want to find a place to sit down and enjoy this meal. That’s when you might notice the lack of seating. There’s not an abundance of tables inside, especially not considering the popularity of Ovid’s, but no need to fear, just head outside and find a seat at either one of the picnic tables or a nice bench to sit.

Personally I’m not a coffee person, but for those who are there’s a Starbucks in front of Ovid’s. There are four Starbucks on campus, but this one is located in probably the most strategic place. I imagine this comes in handy when studying in the library or recovering from an all-nighter.

Ovid’s is a must eat kind of place; those of you on north campus who might not have ventured into the library yet should go and check it out. Overall I put Ovid’s near the top on the list of the best restaurants on campus.

What's an Intermezzo?

               I did a lot of exploration and experimentation with different eateries on campus for the first week of school. Especially because you get a little bored after a couple days of cafeteria food. One of the first places I found was a place called Intermezzo.  

               The adventure and journey to find Intermezzo was a bit of a challenge, and I was definitely trying my hardest not to look like a freshman wandering around campus. It’s tucked in the back corner of the second floor in the Patterson Office Tower. The kitchen is kind of small so the first thing you see might be the long line, but don’t worry it will be worth it.

               When you get a look at the menu you will see that they have many types of sandwiches for lunch and breakfast options as well. If you looking to get the Wildcat Deal, you can choose an entrée, 2 sides, and a drink. They have Philly cheesesteaks, chicken salad, and even a creative take on grilled cheese. As far as sides go you’ll see they have a plethora of snacks, soup, and fruit cups to choose from. With so many meal combinations it’s hard to go wrong.

               After you pay you might be disheartened to see that there are no more tables left, but don’t sweat it. There are plenty of seats just around the corner, benches above the stairs, and even couches downstairs. Watch out though, because of its close proximity to the professors’ offices, you might see one your professors grabbing a bite to eat. On the flip side, if you’re struggling in a class you could always ask your professor if they want to have lunch there sometime. Overall, Intermezzo might not be the biggest or the best place on campus to eat, but I hope you’ll find it to be a good alternative to Blazer or Commons. 

A Restaurant for Each Day of the Week

               I’ve seen a couple of signs around campus advertising different on-campus food options. On this sign they show the location of 7 or 8 different restaurants. I decided to look them up and found out there’s 18 locations on campus to choose from. They have everything from Einstein’s Bagels to a café called Intermezzo.

               Let’s start off with looking at the many options in the Student Center. If you’re looking for a meal in the Student Center, there are three places to choose from; Chick-Fila Express, Greens to Go, Subway, and Panda Express. I found that all of these locations accept meal swipes in the evening, which is a great way to get a change from the buffet. You will also be able to find one of the four Starbucks here in the Student Center.

               There’s also several restaurant’s that are located specifically in locations for different majors to take advantage of. For example, a restaurant called Rising Rolls was recently opened in the downstairs engineering commons. Most of these restaurants were put in places that were too far from the places to eat on main campus. There’s the ED-UK-ATE café for the education majors, the Ag Deli in the agriculture building, and the Apothecary café for those in the college of pharmacy. So wherever you are on campus, I’m sure you will be able to find a place to eat within walking distance.

               Then there’s always the buffets. Blazer Café is located in Blazer Hall, north of the student center. Blazer recently underwent a makeover so be sure to check it out. For those of you on south campus, you have the Commons Market, located near Kirwan and Blanding. It is supposed to be redone and moved closer to the library soon. Lots of exciting things are happening with UK Dining.

Discover even more options for food at http://uky.campusdish.com/Locations.aspx

Bad Marks for Aramark?

So if you're like me, you heard Aramark and wondered what exactly this company does. Turns out this company does many things mostly to help other corporations. They do Facilities Management, Uniforms and Work Apparel, Food Service and Refreshments, Lodging and Guest Accommodations, Clinical Technology Services, Cleanroom Services, and Energy and Commissioning. Aramark has achieved some very impressive titles as one of Fortune 500's World's Most Admired Companies, Best Employers for Healthy Lifestyles, and Ethisphere.com's Most Ethical Companies. Like most companies, Aramark also has its blemishes. Just a Google search revealed that are several Aramark customers unsatisfied with their food services.

For example, just last month Aramark was fined $200,000 by the state of Michigan. Aramark is in charge of providing the prison food service in the Michigan prison facilities. Ever since the contract between the state and Aramark was signed last December there have been complaints of food shortages and insufficient meal sizes. These complaints resulted in the $98,000 fine issued this past June. The most recent problem was the reports of maggots and employee misconduct in the prisons. The company denies that the maggots were their fault and plans to implement new employing techniques, yet lawmakers in Michigan are unhappy and implore the governor to cancel the contract.

A longtime customer of Aramark, Vassar College, also has some very strong opinions on the company’s services. The students have become very verbal about the problems that are accumulating. Portions sizes have been a significant concern, along with prices of these portions. One would think that large corporations could get better deals than local grocers because they buy in such bulk. Another problem faced at Vassar College is the size and efficiency of the dining facilities. The main dining hall is becoming overcrowded and long wait times are becoming more of a concern. There are also not many options for vegetarians, vegans, or others with health concerns. After 25 years under the current contract, the College has now begun to reconsider their current deal with Aramark.

I’m sure the company could show me several successes for every complaint, but it makes me think what problems the University of Kentucky could potentially be facing. I guess the students will have to decide for themselves if the pros outweigh the cons when Aramark really gets going over the next several years.

 http://www.aramark.com/default.aspx

http://www.freep.com/article/20140808/NEWS06/308080159/aramark-prison-food-fines

http://miscellanynews.org/2014/04/23/features/campus-food-services-leave-students-hungry-for-options-aramark-contract-extended-alternatives-in-consideration/

A New Friend Was Made This Summer

So I wanted to start off my first post by summing up what’s been happening over the summer with the UK Dining program. UK has started up a new partnership with a dining company called Aramark. Some of the benefits of this partnership were outlined in an article in the Inside UK edition of the Kentucky Kernel.

Aramark first off promised to up purchase of local food products to 25% by the end of the 15-year contract. This definitely shows that they care about the local economy and also take advantage of the organic option. They also promised to lower the price of meal plans for the students, which is always appreciated. Several chain restaurants will be added in various locations around campus including: Einstein Bros Bagels, Burger Studio, Rising Roll Gourmet, Aqua Sushi, Taco Bell Express, Subway Cafe, Common Grounds Coffee, Greens to Go, Fresh Food Company, and even a Panera Bread. So I guess students should be prepared for construction possibly during the school year. There is also a plan now underway to build a brand new state-of-the-art Commons facility. It’s supposed to be 81,000 square feet located on the corner of Hilltop Avenue and University Drive. They're planning on building a new K-Lair and upgrading existing facilities as well.

The Question that immediately jumps into my mind is what is the cost to UK and if the University is profiting from this deal. I get that there is a lot for the students to gain from this deal, but would that be worth the amount of tuition we might be shoveling in for this deal to happen? There is definitely going to be many more options in the near future and as far as I can tell at this moment this partnership was a pretty good idea on the part of the University.