Sponsored By

Best Concepts: UMass adds another jewel to its glistening dining program

University of Massachusetts-Amherst Dining has been named winner of the 2021 FM Best Concept Award in the Best New Facility category for its spectacular new Worcester Dining Commons.

Mike Buzalka, Executive Features Editor

July 29, 2021

18 Slides
Cocina_Latina.jpg

Worcester Dining Commons is the latest grand opening at the University of Massachusetts-Amherst, and also the latest in a line of FM Best Concept Award winning facilities on the campus that recently included the Hampshire Dining Common and Blue Wall retail venue renovations for the perennially innovative program. This latest jewel of a dining center began its development process in 2018, two years before the pandemic hit and changed dining forever. The UMass Dining team, led by Ken Toong, powered through the closures, social distancing and general unease of the pandemic, determined to preserve the food culture they’ve worked so hard to build.

The new facility opened last fall and is part of a major infrastructure project in the center of campus that also includes a new student union and upgrades to landscape and sidewalks.

“We are, of course, implementing COVID-related restrictions for the spring, but people will immediately benefit and in the long term these investments will have an even greater positive impact,” Shane Conklin, associate vice chancellor for facilities and campus services said in a press release.

Here's a photo tour of the spectacular new Worcester…

About the Author

Mike Buzalka

Executive Features Editor, Food Management

Mike Buzalka is executive features editor for Food Management and contributing editor to Restaurant Hospitality, Supermarket News and Nation’s Restaurant News. On Food Management, Mike has lead responsibility for compiling the annual Top 50 Contract Management Companies as well as the K-12, College, Hospital and Senior Dining Power Players listings. He holds bachelor’s and master’s degrees in English Literature from John Carroll University. Before joining Food Management in 1998, he served as for eight years as assistant editor and then editor of Foodservice Distributor magazine. Mike’s personal interests range from local sports such as the Cleveland Indians and Browns to classic and modern literature, history and politics.

Mike Buzalka’s areas of expertise include operations, innovation and technology topics in onsite foodservice industry markets like K-12 Schools, Higher Education, Healthcare and Business & Industry.

Mike Buzalka’s experience:

Executive Features Editor, Food Management magazine (2010-present)

Contributing Editor, Restaurant Hospitality, Supermarket News and Nation’s Restaurant News (2016-present)

Associate Editor, Food Management magazine (1998-2010)

Editor, Foodservice Distributor magazine (1997-1998)

Assistant Editor, Foodservice Distributor magazine (1989-1997)

 

Subscribe to FoodService Director Newsletters
Get the foodservice industry news and insights you need for success, right in your inbox.