++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
“Raising the Bar” for College Food
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
New food ideas and culinary innovations are greeting today’s college student population. They get to say “Good-bye” to that boring one meal fits everyone. Undercooked food and mystery meals have disappeared.
Surprising new culinary selections and opportunities are taking place in various campus dining halls, and exciting food innovations are arriving on and around the college scene. A transformation is happening on campus dining. Today’s students, who have a more sophisticated palette and social conscience, are demanding higher quality, better service, and affordability. Say “Hello” to a new generation of student.
College Food Happenings in the U.S.
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Southern Pulled Pork BBQ Flatbread
It’s Nashville’s most popular appetizer
About the Recipe: One of the most popular appetizers is a thin crusted flatbread filled with popular flavor combinations. Nashville’s favorite is shredded barbecue pork combined with a touch of onion, tomato slices, pepper cheese, and some bright flavored relish. It’s so delicious that you will probably need to make two flatbreads.
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Grilled Korean Kimchi Beef Burger
Add spicy pickled cabbage to kick up the flavor
About the Recipe: This burger has a delightful Asian kick and the Gochujang provides a depth of flavor. Top the grilled burger with a dollop of Asian pickled vegetables and cabbage with hints of ginger and garlic. Add some fresh crunchies like thin sliced carrots, cucumbers, and leafy herbs.
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Fresh Strawberry Cannoli Cream Cones
Use a sugar cone to scoop up strawberries covered with cream
About the Recipe: What a fun idea! Cannoli is one of the classic Italian desserts that everyone loves. This is a quick and easy way to capture that delightful flavor. Fresh juicy strawberries served with very creamy cannoli cream is perfect to fill a sugar cone for an in-hand sweet treat.
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
We were excited to learn about Crave Food Hall, one of the most innovative endeavors designed to elevate college cuisine by adding higher quality food and beverages. The food is planned and organized by celebrated chefs and uses innovative recipes.
Artist Rendering – Picture Courtesy Crave Food Hall
Crave Food Hall at Discovery Park in West Lafayette, Indiana is bringing culinary variety and innovation to Purdue’s students, faculty, and the community. Food will be available made-to-order from eight unique artisanal food stalls, which include Southern hot chicken ‘n biscuits, gourmet coffee and pastries, multi-cultural tacos, Neapolitan-style pizza, fresh burgers/fries with extraordinary shakes, Mediterranean street food, homestyle Italian meatballs, innovative sandwiches, soups, and salads. A Boiler Room Cocktail Bar with a veteran mixologist will be available to design cocktails, serve craft beer, and a variety of wines. Crave Food Hall offers world class meals crafted by some of the best chefs in the business.
Artist Rendering – Picture Courtesy Crave Food Hall
The Boiler Bar will be part of Crave Food Hall and will be available to age appropriate individuals including Purdue students, professors, research scientists, and other professionals working at the Discovery Park location.
Dave Garner of Crave Food Hall with Gloria Goodtaste
To discover more about this innovative concept, I met with Dave Garner, one of the operating partners of this venture. We were so impressed by the amount of knowledge and experience he has as a founder of restaurants, franchisee, market director for global business development, and owner/ operator of various restaurants around the U.S.
We asked him to tell us about this new innovative dining concept and how it will service the Purdue University community.
Dave Garner Interview
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Chef Kevin Sbraga – Top Chef Winner
Since Dave Garner mentioned that world class meals would be crafted by some of the best chefs in the business, we reached out to Chef Kevin Sbraga to ask him about Sonny & Sons, that will be serving Southern Food at Crave Food Hall.
We knew that Chef Kevin Sbraga had exceptional creative experience in the kitchen since we remembered his winning the top prize on Season 7 of Bravo’s hit Top Chef. He was also an inventive executive chef involved with the Philadelphia area and New Jersey restaurants over the past 10 years. Sbraga, his first restaurant, was named by Esquire magazine as one of the “Best New Restaurants”.
Artist Rendering – Picture Courtesy Crave Food Hall
Sonny & Son’s will offer savory delights ranging from Chicken & Honey Biscuits to Hot Chicken and Fried Catfish. We were anxious to ask him about his role in a chef-driven food hall, which will be very different than a large dining restaurant organization.
Chef Kevin Spraga Interview
It was so refreshing to listen how Chef Kevin values learning from every experience. He is really a very talented Top Chef.
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Chef Kevin’s Mac & Cheese
Made Top Chef Style
About the Recipe: Almost everyone loves Mac & Cheese filled with tender pasta enrobed with creamy cheese sauce. The real secret to making the best Mac & Cheese is using a wonderful blend of 5 different cheeses. Wow! Thanks to Chef Kevin Sbraga for sharing this fantastic recipe. No wonder he is a “Top Chef” grand prize winner.
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Beer ‘n Black Bean Nacho Supper
Welcome to “South of the Border” flavor
About the Recipe: How about going “South of the Border” for dinner tonight? This recipe is easy to prepare using some already prepared ingredients. Feel free to add cooked chicken or beef chunks with the black bean mixture. Have a fun supper!
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Asian Inspired Chicken ‘n Noodles Bowl
Oriental noodle bowls with lime ginger dressing
About the Recipe: Do you want to make a trendy pasta salad? Then mix up an Asian inspired noodle dish with lots of colorful vegetables. You can also add some cooked chicken sausage. Serve it warm or at room temperature.
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Mexican Market Corn Salad
Add delicious charred flavor without a grill
About the Recipe: Grilled corn without a grill is easy to make on the top of the stove in a cast iron pan. Just add lots of flavor popping peppers and toppings to create this creamy lemon dressed easy vegetable salad
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Game-Day Country Potato Salad
There’s No-Mayo to Worry About
About the Recipe: The perfect side to take along for a picnic or tailgate party is potato salad. Since this recipe is a no-mayo style, it’s take-along and serving friendly. A bonus is that the tomatoes are mixed right in, like two salads in one.
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Zippy Quick Grilled Zucchini
Secret seasoning and crunch from crushed croutons
About the Recipe: It will only take about 15 minutes to make this Italian zucchini side dish. Using a grill pan adds those smoky grill marks. Lightly sprinkling with crushed croutons adds crunch as well as an addictive flavor. Add as many juicy cherry tomato halves as you enjoy. They are so delicious and make this recipe “pop” with color.
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Double Snickerdoodle Caramel Ice Cream
Nothing’s better than cookies in ice cream!
About the Recipe: If you don’t have an ice cream maker, this recipe is for you! It’s easy to mix up and store in your freezer. Double the sweet taste by adding bits of Snickerdoodle cookies or sub in your favorite crushed cookies. Don’t forget to add some salty peanuts for that pure Snickerdoodle flavor.
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Creamy Chocolate Cheesecake Pudding
Healthy sweet for a natural treat!
About the Recipe: Avocados are the magic ingredient to create a healthier dessert. Sweetened with a little honey and dates and add a sprinkling of dark chocolate mini chips. You can serve this plain or top with your favorite fruit or topping. It’s a special treat for a chocolate lover.
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Café Latte Chocolate Chip Cake
So easy to make and it doesn’t need any eggs
About the Recipe: No need to buy any cakes mixes. This from-scratch mocha chocolate cake is so easy to mix up and bake. Then just top it with some Latte flavored soft whipped frosting. Delish………Now have fun, top with some flaked coconut and lots of colorful M&M chocolate candies. It’s time to celebrate a new school year.
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
