College dining programs host food-focused Welcome Weeks for students’ return to campus

From Cal Poly in the west to University of Pittsburgh in the east, college dining programs managed by Chartwells Higher Ed went out of their way to engage returning and new students with Welcome Week activities. The goal of the food-focused events was to connect with and celebrate students and demonstrate how the dining experience integrates into campus life. Here’s a sampling from across the country.

Baylor Eats, Love at First Bite Series

Three separate “Love at First Bite” events were held at Baylor University in Waco, Texas.

At the East Village venue, the Love at First Bite Block Party welcomed students to the fall semester with interactive food experiences, including hand-rolled pasta making and a meet-the-chef station featuring Chef Kaylynn Hartz’s – aka Kaykay’s — special ramen and its culinary story. Campus partners rounded out the celebration with student resources, games, activities, sustainability education, and dining guidance.

Meanwhile, at 1845 at Memorial or “Memo” dining venue, Love at First Bite highlighted the signature Peri Peri Pizza created by Chef Oscar Marquez and its origin story. Also on hand was a DIY station for Memo’s famous Flying Saucer and a Feel Good Foods table curated by Dietitian Lily Norcross. And at Penland Crossroads Dining Hall, Love at First Bite featured Executive Chef Joel Edwards’ First Year Eats Teaching Kitchen where 17 students learned to prepare nutritious overnight oats for an easy residence hall breakfast or snack. Its popularity will continue as a College Survival Tea Kitchen Series throughout the year, led by Chef Edwards. Students were also treated to Chef Eddie Howard’s Shrimp and Grits, a crowd favorite, along with stories about his Navy service and culinary journey.

Cal Poly Campus Dining, Welcome Back Football Game and New Stadium Food

Cal Poly in San Luis, Obispo, California, welcomed students and fans back to campus with an exciting home football matchup and an elevated game-day concessions experience at Mustang Memorial Field Presented by Dignity Health. Campus Dining put a local spin on stadium favorites with a menu featuring items such as a quarter-pound Spanos Hot Dog cooked with local 805 beer, an 805-marinated Tri Tip Sandwich with Coca-Cola BBQ sauce and salsa fresca, and a Pulled Pork Sandwich topped with red cabbage-apple slaw.

Also on the menu were Loaded Nachos with carne asada, salsa fresca and avocado crema, and a plant-forward Grilled Portabella Sandwich with red cabbage-apple slaw and chipotle-mango chutney. Local beverage offerings, including Cal Poly Gold and Firestone Walker 805, helped bring Central Coast flavor to the game-day experience.

George Washinton University, Mount Vernon Campus Community Cookout

George Washington University Dining partnered with the Mount Vernon Campus in Washington, D.C. to welcome more than 300 students back with a community cookout to start the new academic year. Students enjoyed a cookout-inspired menu while connecting with friends and the campus community in a fun, interactive outdoor setting.

University of Houston Dining, Welcome Back: Taste of Texas

UH Dining welcomed students back with a Texas-sized BBQ featuring smoked pulled pork sandwiches, BBQ spareribs,and beef barbacoa, served alongside fire-roasted elote, baked beans, and maple-glazed sweet potatoes. Banana pudding, apple pie and build-your-own ice cream sundaes provided a sweet finish.

Pitt Eats held two events at the University of Pittsburgh in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. The dining team celebrated the end of the first week of classes with an ice cream social for students. Participants could choose a chocolate or vanilla ice cream base or an acai base, with Oreos, sprinkles, chocolate chips, and more available for toppings.

At The Eatery on campus, Pitt Eats celebrated the new school year with a welcome back barbecue for students. Each station featured a barbecue specialty, and for drinks and dessert, there was DIY Lemonade Bar, DIY Parfait Bar, and themed desserts.

University of Utah Dining, Trailhead Grand Opening

University of Utah Dining celebrated the grand opening of Trailhead’s Thomas Dining Commons, welcoming more than 300 guests to the university’s newest dining destination on the campus in Salt Lake City. Festivities included a photo booth, DIY donut decorating with Otherside Donuts, swag giveaways, flower pressing, and complimentary chips and queso from Qdoba. A passport program encouraged students, faculty, staff, and visitors to explore each activation station throughout September while discovering Trailhead’s dining partners.

University of Wisconsin – Whitewater, Chancellor’s Opening Celebration

In partnership with UW-Whitewater’s Chancellor’s Office, the Chancellor’s Opening Celebration cookout moved to Esker Dining Hall, welcoming nearly 500 faculty, staff, alumni, and university supporters. The event showcased an elevated menu and dining experience while promoting voluntary meal plans, campus news and celebrations, and upcoming university events to support students as they arrive on campus.

University of Wisconsin – Green Bay, Love at First Bite

The University of Wisconsin–Green Bay Dining welcomed students back to campus with Love at First Bite: Milestones, a special celebration held at the Social House. The event invited students to reconnect, make memories, and enjoy a lively start to the semester through complimentary caricatures, pennant decorating, a Roll for Dessert activity, a Phoenix-themed balloon arch, and a featured event menu. Designed to celebrate the beginning of another great year, Love at First Bite brought students together through food, creativity, and campus spirit.

University of Wisconsin – LaCrosse Dining, Welcome Back Picnic

The University of Wisconsin–La Crosse Dining invited students back to campus with a Welcome Back Picnic on the front lawn of the Student Union. Held as part of New Student Orientation, the picnic offered first-year students a fun and relaxed opportunity to connect with classmates after their class picture. Guests enjoyed a picnic dinner and music from DJ Martee McFly, which created an upbeat start to the academic year and a memorable introduction to campus life.

University of Wisconsin – River Falls, Welcome Week Activities

The University of Wisconsin – River Falls Dining supported Welcome Week campus-wide activities by helping students settle into campus life and learn how to navigate their meal plans. Dining provided snacks and refreshments for Late Night Great Night, catered s’more kits for the Bonfire, and supported the Craft n’ Cookout tie-dye event with a BBQ entree and all the fixin’s. Together, these activities offered students relaxed opportunities to connect, explore campus traditions, and get into their new routine.