June 24, 2008
A $1 million investment in upgrades to Montgoris Dining Hall
will make meals at the University’s largest dining area more
pleasant, easier to access, and even more appetizing and delicious
in the future.
Artist
Renderings
According to Kenneth Waldhof, St. John’s Executive Director of
Auxiliary Services, the objective of this summer construction
project is to “expand the variety of food offerings, increase the
speed of service and to reduce congestion in the serving areas
while enhancing the customer experience with new options and
decor.”
While the current main serving area is not being altered at this
time, secondary self-serve areas will be installed outside the main
serving and seating areas later this summer. These secondary areas
will introduce two brand-new concepts for Montgoris.
“We’re introducing ‘Menutainment’,” Waldhof explains, “where
students will find made-to-order meals and options throughout the
day. This made-to-order exhibition-style cooking destination offers
fresh herbs and spices, meats, vegetables and more to be sautéed by
chefs. They can create their own meal, selecting from a variety of
fresh and healthy ingredients.” He adds that low- and no-fat
cooking techniques are a special feature of Menutainment.
A second added feature will be “myPantry,” a self-assisted
kitchen concept which is, Waldhof says, “a help-yourself dining
experience available throughout the day and designed to provide
flexible mealtime or snack options that students may prepare
themselves or have a Chartwells staff member prepare for them. At
myPantry, students will be able to choose from a selection of
cereals and juices, hot breakfast foods such as waffles, eggs, and
omelets, garden-fresh stir-fry and more.
“Plus,” he adds, “delicious dessert selections will be available
all day long.”
The addition of the two new serving areas will not impact
seating capacity, which will remain close to the current
number. The upstairs lounge area is being converted to dining
space and that new dining tables and chairs will be installed on
both levels. New flooring on the main dining level plus a freshened
interior will complete the transformation and contribute to the
enhanced dining experience.
At present, much of the construction work is taking place on the
basement level so that summer groups on campus can utilize the
dining hall during June, July and early August. Completion of
the work will commence in early August.
Waldhof points out that the bottom line is student satisfaction.
“We want the students to enjoy their experience at Montgoris while
having the opportunity to enjoy new and creative concepts all with
a healthy and nutritional flare in a comfortable and contemporary
setting.”