Miami University

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Miami sweeps dining service "Oscars"

08/14/2008

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Sushi parfaits, a featured dish at the Passport to Dining Destinations theme dinner, added a new twist to a student favorite.

Miami University took home two grand prizes, two golds, one silver, and an honorable mention in the large schools category of the 2008 Loyal E. Horton Dining Awards sponsored by the National Association of College and University Food Services (NACUFS). Since 2004, Miami has been honored by the association each year and holds the record for most awards in North America.

Miami's housing, dining and guest services received the grand prize and a gold in the category of Residence Hall Dining/Multiple Concept Outlets (Hamilton Hall). The Hamilton Hall dining location won top honors for providing high quality food and service to university students.

Another grand prize and a gold went to Passport to Dining Destinations, a themed dinner held in January at Harris Hall. The event whisked students away to foreign destinations to explore culinary diversity through taste. Authentic ethnic recipes from China to Poland received rave reviews from students.

Carillon Catering received silver for its specialized menu, revised last year to add more value options for customers. Don King, executive director of Carillon Catering, said the new menu includes more dishes with international flavor.

Erickson Hall received an honorable mention in the Residence Hall Dining Stand Alone Concepts/Outlets category.

"This is the 'Oscars' for university dining and culinary service personnel," said Nancy Heidtman, director of dining and culinary services. "It truly is an honor to be recognized on a national scale for our efforts. We pride ourselves in creating educational experiences for our students through culinary programs like the Passport to Dining Destinations."

Awards for 2008 were announced at the NACUFS convention held in Washington, D.C., in July. Since 2004, Miami's housing and dining services has received four grand prizes, 10 golds, two first-place awards, one Best in the Business, five silvers, four bronzes and three honorable mentions from the awards program.

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Miami's dining services staff created beauitiful fruit carvings to lend an elegant touch to the Passport to Dining Destinations food stations.