Villanova Dining Services adds some fun to the daily grind.
I have had the opportunity over the past several weeks to meet with a half dozen student groups to discuss their topic for a class presentation. Whether the topic was on leadership or something which could be improved on campus, I thoroughly enjoyed the opportunity to meet with students to discuss our dining program. Definitely one of the most favorite aspects of my job is meeting with students. It gives me a face to face opportunity to field questions and concerns from students and respond. From these meetings, I always come away with a better understanding of student expectations and ideas; I also believe the student groups gain a better understanding of our operations. Definitely a “Win Win” as Covey fans would say.
One theme that has resonated through these meetings is the perception of value with our operations; or the perception of “lack of value” actually. Our prices and program are often compared to products found on the shelves of the local super markets. The service component is generally missed, namely, the staffing required to order, prepare, and serve comparable items that may be self selected in a super market and later prepared at one’s apartment. Nonetheless, I need to work with our Dining Services Team to effectively change this perception. We offer a lot of value and convenience in our operations and we will do a better job of communicating this to you.
For starters, our management team developed a new offering in the Italian Kitchen, Belle Air Terrace and the new Law School operation. It is being called the Daily Grinder. This week a twelve inch Meatball Grinder is being offered for $6.75 and includes a soft drink.
Other great values can be found in our 2nd Storey convenience store. We offer the lowest milk prices allowed by state law and great deals on fresh eggs and sliced deli meats and cheeses. And don’t forget Mike’s Famous Pizza offered in the 2nd Storey and the Donahue Market!
Look for more great values in all our operations in the coming weeks. I sincerely appreciate receiving your feedback. It helps us continue to the be the BEST SERVING THE BEST!
Best Regards,
Timothy Dietzler,
Director of Dining Services
Villanova University 610-519-7810
timothy.dietzler@villanova.edu
www.diningservices.villanova.edu
Posted at 12:26PM Nov 20, 2009 by Michael Powers in General |
Villanova Dining Services loves our Special Olympians!
Special Olympics' weekend is now over but the euphoria our staff enjoys when serving our Special Olympians remains. There are many events that allow our staff to connect with students, faculty, staff and alumni throughout the year, and we enjoy them all. Special Olympics, however, holds a special place in our hearts and it is the highlight of the fall semester for us. We appreciate the many volunteers that help us serve the thousands of meals we provide our Special Olympians, coaches and guests over the weekend. We could not do it without their support and contribution. It is so enjoyable to see the smiling faces of our Olympians who greet our staff with "shout outs" and high fives. It is amazing to see our Executive Chefs get elevated to celebrity status by just appearing in their chef whites and toques in the dining room. During Special Olympics' weekend, the energy in our dining halls compares to the excitement you experience in the Pavilion during a Big East match up. I don't think there is anything more gratifying and I am very proud of our staff and students, and all they do to take care of our Special Olympians and their guests. A big shout out to Villanova Dining Services for your service over Special Olympics Weekend - Way to go!! Thanks for the opportunity to continue Serving the Best! Best Regards, Tim Dietzler
Posted at 06:56PM Nov 09, 2009 by Timothy Dietzler in General |
The count down begins for our End of Semester Celebration ~ December 10th
On Thursday, December 10th we will celebrate our 77th bi-annual End of Semester Celebration. Our chefs and management team are planning a fantastic meal featuring our traditional Surf and Turf dinner and our dessert extravaganza. The spectacular dessert extravaganza will offer over two dozen desserts, a chocolate fondue bar, and Bananas Foster. You don't want to miss it. Come early, the dining halls open at 4:15 PM. Also, join us on Thursday November 12th for our Thanksgiving Dinner celebration. Best Regards, Tim
Posted at 10:47PM Oct 28, 2009 by Timothy Dietzler in Special Events |
Sustainable Sushi now in our retail locations
Judging by the sales, you may have already noticed the change in our fresh sushi program in our retail operations. We are pleased to announce that all the fresh sushi available in our retail locations is "Sustainable" and meets the requirements set by our partnership with the Monterey Bay Aquarium. We have added several new sushi selections, including premium options such as Spicy Tuna or Salmon Crunch, Salmon Avocado, and already a big favorite ~ Buffalo Teriyaki. All of the seafood served by Villanova Dining Services is sustainable ~ healthier for you, and healthier for our environment. You can read more about our partnership with the Monterey Bay Aquarium on our website at: http://www.villanova.edu/services/dining/sustainability/montereybay.htm. Let me know which one is your favorite! Best Regards, Tim
Posted at 01:23PM Oct 21, 2009 by Timothy Dietzler in Sustainability |
Welcome back from your fall break
We hope you had a great fall break. We have some fun special events planned for you over the next several weeks, beginning with our Oktoberfest Dinner on Tuesday October 20th. I hope you will join us for this special dinner in the resident dining halls. Prior to fall break, on Tuesday October 6th, SGA and Dining Services hosted a town hall meeting. Thanks for all the students that attended the meeting and shared you ideas, suggestions and feedback. We will work with SGA in communicating the feedback we received over the next several weeks. In the meantime, based on some the feedback we did receive at the meeting, we have decided to reset you guest meals to the number you started with at the beginning of the semester, and according to your meal plan. We are also going to keep the Italian Kitchen open until 3 PM Mon-Friday for those students seeking a later lunch. Thanks again to those students who attended the town hall meeting. If you were not able to attend, please use our online Speak Out card system on our website and send us your feedback [http://www.villanova.edu/services/dining/speakout/]. Best Regards, Tim
Posted at 08:37PM Oct 17, 2009 by Timothy Dietzler in General |
Join me at the SGA and Dining Services Town Hall Meeting
Please join me on Tuesday Oct 6th at 8 PM in the Italian Kitchen for a town hall meeting. I look forward to hearing your input and feedback regarding our program and services. Tim
Posted at 07:41PM Oct 05, 2009 by Timothy Dietzler in General |
I hope you are enjoying all we have to offer
On behalf of the entire Villanova Dining Services Team, I wish you the best in the fall 2009 semester. You will interact more with Dining Services staff over the next 15 weeks than any other department on campus; we all look forward to serving you. Our staff takes great pride in providing you with many opportunities for great food; and warm, caring service. If there are suggestions or feedback you have for Dining Services, please connect with me. We are very excited with the newly renovated Dougherty Hall and our expanded ability to provide you with a wide variety of nutritious foods and vegetarian options. This year our menu focus for our resident dining halls is “Back to Basics”. We have developed menus featuring your favorite comfort foods, familiar fare and long time favorites. Our chefs intend to be very creative and offer full flavored specialties and ethnic cuisines at the “made to order” stations featured in each dining hall. So eat well, and be well. Best Regards, Tim
Posted at 11:26PM Sep 04, 2009 by Timothy Dietzler in General |
Dougherty Hall will undergo a dining room renovation this summer
We are pleased to tell you that Dougherty Hall's dining room will be renovated this summer. One of the considerations of the renovation is deciding to have the Dougherty Hall ramp removed. This will give us excellent space to increase seating and dramatically improved the decor of the dining room.
We are asking for your assitance in helping us to make this decision - to ramp it up or ramp it down, so to speak. We will be conducting tests in Dougherty Hall for the remainder of the school year. We would like to have you enter and exit the dining room from the side doorways (currently the exits). We want to test out this idea. If it is decided to remove the ramp, the side doorways will become the new entrances and exists for the dining room.
We apologize for conducting this excercise so close to finals and thank you for your patience and cooperation.
Don't forget the End of Semester Celebration, Thursday April 30th. The dining halls open at 4:15 PM sharp! Featuring broiled Lobster Tail and Filet Mignon along with our spectacular dessert extravaganza. You've worked hard all semester and earned this special tribute meal, so don't miss it.
Great food enjoyed with great friends makes for great memories.
Best Regards, Tim
Posted at 10:40PM Apr 24, 2009 by Timothy Dietzler in General |
Nutritious Food, Convenient Dining Locations, Extensive Dining Hours
Wholesome food that nourishes the body is as important to fueling your successful student experience as your academic studies and social activities. Villanova Dining Services understands this and strives to provide nutritious food at convenient locations with hours of operations that meet your busy schedule.
There is a lot more going on in the nineteen dining operations on campus than the nationally recognized nutrition program, the award winning menus, and quality service provided by our caring staff. Villanova Dining Services’ socially responsible purchasing practices and focus on lessening our impact on the environment helps build community, while strengthening our relationships.
Thanks for visiting our web site, here you will be introduced to the services we offer, the many restaurants we operate on campus, and the special events we have planned through out the year.
The Villanova Dining Services team is committed to serving you and making your dining experience enjoyable. We know that friends that dine together, make lifetime memories together!
Best Regards, Tim
Posted at 02:09AM Apr 08, 2009 by Timothy Dietzler in General |
Villanova's Trayless Dining program Expanding
This is an idea whose time has come. Anyone who enters a dining hall can now make a contribution toward sustainability. I expect that this will be just one of many such changes that all of us will be asked to embrace in all phases of our life as our society strives to make our world a greener, more sustainable place. Beyond the ‘green’ benefits of wasting less food is the opportunity for the University to offset rising food costs.[Read More]
Posted at 11:31AM Dec 11, 2008 by Timothy Dietzler in Sustainability |