In Brief 2008-04-01 (1)

Levy Restaurants has been selected as the catering and concessions provider for the Barclays Center, the new home of the NBA's New Jersey Nets in Brooklyn, NY, that is expected to open in the fall of 2010. Levy will oversee catering for the arena's 118 executive suites and 12 courtside suites, as well as restaurant dining, general and club concessions and in-seat service.

Plattsburgh (NY) State University has awarded a five-year dining services contract worth an estimated $40 million to Chartwells. The company replaces Sodexho, which is completing a 10-year deal and has been Plattsburgh's foodservice provider for more than 30 years.

The Springfield (OR) School District is returning its foodservice operations to self-operation after two years of outsourcing with Chartwells.

Detroit Public Schools officials will review the district's contract and relationship with Aramark Educational Services following newspaper reports charging that the system paid Aramark least $1.6 million in fees that are unallowable under state law.

The Oregon state legislature has voted to create a full-time farm-to-school position in the state Dept. of Education.

Middlebury College has launched an online menu rating system developed by a business class as part of a project to reduce dining hall waste. Called Middlelicious, it asks users to rate dishes on a 1-4 scale.

The University of New Mexico has awarded its campus foodservice contract to Chartwells, following the expiration of an eight-year deal with Aramark.

The Bojangles Cajun chicken and biscuits chain will open its first airport location in April 2008 at Charlotte Douglas International Airport. The company is partnering with management company FDY, Inc..

Centerplate, Inc., has named Alfonso Contrisciani vice president of culinary development. He's one of only 62 Master Chefs in the world,

The University of South Carolina has opened the first Original Soup Man outlet on a college campus at its Russell House University Union. The concept is based on the Soup Kitchen International restaurant made famous in the 1990s sitcom Seinfeld as the home of the “Soup Nazi.”

Bates College has opened its new Commons dining facility. It features a brick oven pizza station, grill, Euro station, pasta bar and vegan bar. It also has extended hours and 300 more seats than the previous venue.

The University of Georgia Dining Services has been recognized with a Governor's Commendation for Excellence in Customer Service for its 24 hour meal plan dining initiative launched last March.

The University of California's governing board has named University of Texas Chancellor Mark Yudof president of the 10-campus system. He succeeds Robert Dynes, who plans to leave by June.

HFM has issued a call for entries for its annual culinary competition, sponsored by Tyson Food Service. For rules and entry forms, go to www.hfm.org. The deadline is April 30.

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