Thompson ushers in New Look for Tougaloo College Cafeteria
by Marquise Slator, STAFF WRITER
Tougaloo College has many changes rumored to come, but this semester, one rumor has been put to rest.
The Warren Hall Cafeteria has upgraded the cuisine selection with the alliance of Thompson Hospitality, a black-owned dining service that offers many selections for students and faculty.
The addition of different eateries has made Warren Hall an even more festive place of dining and a more eye-popping site to sit while enjoying meals.
Almost everything has changed. The café features more than alternate seating space and a new splash of paint. The new and improved café offers a meal plan for residents and commuters.
The meal programs are designed for students who desire an early riser meal, a casual dinner, or a to-go plate for students who are on the go. Students will have the option of eating up to 19 meals on campus each week.
The dining hall is now an all-you-can-eat experience. Different menu options include Origins, Trattoria, Sandwich Central, Garden Emporium, Double Treat Bakery, and the center of beverages. Origins offer an array of ethnic foods, such as taco salad or pasta. Trattoria offers a selection of hand-tossed while Sandwich Central offers a wide variety of made to order sandwiches and subs daily. Garden Emporium is a market of fresh salad offerings and soups. Double Treat Bakery includes a wide variety of homemade desserts, pies, and cakes.
The Center of Refreshment offers a wide variety of carbonated and non-carbonated beverages.
The new café has new rules and regulations. Students have only one door that serves as the only entrance and exit. Until students are able to use ID cards only the small, paper meal tickets grant students access into the dining area. “I think the improvements that were made on the café are great, with exception of the rules that are placed,” said Waikinya Clanton, 21, a sociology/pre-law major from Canton.
“You can’t get all your food at one time. There are not enough seats for every student in the café, however, the arrangements are beneficial for the college because it erases the barrier that has been set in the past between the Greeks and normal students.”
Clanton also said the new seating arrangement forces everyone to mix and mingle, which in turn provide better network opportunities for the rest of the students.
“It doesn’t say, since I’m a senior, I’m going to sit with my senior friends,” Canton said. “It puts you in a predicament where you have to meet other people that you’re going to school with.”
With all the advantages, the café has its disadvantages. Students are unable to get two slices of pizza at one time at the Trattoria stand. Since there aren't two separate sides to sit anymore, the cafeteria is somewhat cluttered and has little space to move around.
Even though it’s an all-you-can-eat experience there are still long lines at almost every station.
For now, commuter students are not allowed in the dinner hall without having a meal plan, so they have to lounge outside of the building, sit in the co-op or eat somewhere else.
When the time comes to eat, commuter students will use a meal card instead of paying with cash. The tax-free meal plans can be purchased in the dining hall. Financial aid dollars can be used to purchase the commuter meal plans. Students can also pay for meal plans with Master Card, Visa, cash or money orders.
I’m excited about this new year and for the students because we want them to eat healthier,” said Timothy Kent, production/service manager for Thompson. “We have a wide variety of breakfast foods on the line as well. We have freshly-cooked omelets Mondays through Fridays.”
“We’re going to try different programs to get students to come eat breakfast because we feel that breakfast is one of the healthiest meals of the day to get them started for class,” � Kent said. “We also wanted to give the students a new look that is partial, but hopefully in the near future, a full remodel will come. We ask students to come as much as they want, but with a clean plate to each station. We want to portion and maintain the lines and food at all time.”
Kent also said Thompson is the largest black-owned food service business in the U.S. He also said it took two to three weeks to renovate the cafeteria over the summer.
Thompson recruited new staff members to serve as chefs but still need more and is allowing students to work.
If students don’t use all meals in one week, they don’t carry over from week to week. Students will be able to enjoy a total of 19 meals per week.
In case anyone becomes ill and not able to dine in, they can be served by having their dormitory director send a note or call the cafeteria. Someone must be available to come to pick-up the carryout tray.
Lost cards can be replaced in the Office of Student Affairs. Monday through Friday, breakfast is served between 7 a.m. and 9 a.m. Lunch is served from 11 a.m. through 1:30 p.m. Dinner is served between 4-5:30 p.m.
On weekends brunch is served from 10 a.m. until noon while dinner is served from 4 p.m. until 5:30 p.m.
For more information, visit www.thompsonhospitality.com or call Business and Auxiliary Services at (601) 977-7700. |
