Sodexo shares key ingredients in its recipe for success at UAH

An assortment of options…

UAH's eateries include a mix of signature campus locations, like the Charger Café, Blue's Tech Hall, and the Garden View Café, and retail favorites like Papa John's, Chik-fil-A, Starbucks, Dunkin' Donuts, Sandella's, and World of Wings. "We've also just added the Fitness Café at the University Fitness Center, which offers coffee, smoothies, and all of our Simple To-Go products," says Owens. "And in the fall of 2018, we hope to add either a Mexican or a Chinese dining option on campus."

A fresh approach…

The Charger Café’s omelet station is a popular mealtime destination.

Michael Mercier | UAH

"Freshness," says Owens, "is something Sodexo takes great pride in. The quality of the food is the most important thing." To that end, many ingredients are locally sourced and all dishes are prepared from scratch on a daily basis. The company also makes sure to take dietary needs into account, offering vegan, vegetarian and gluten-free options and a range of low-calorie meals as part of their Mindful Offerings menu. "We've worked with Sodexo's executive chefs to come up with these recipes, which use healthier ingredients but don't sacrifice the flavor," she says. "And our nutrition database is connected to the MyFitnessPal app, so that diners can scan the item's bar code and find out the nutritional value."

A serving of fan favorites…

Fried Chicken Wednesday. Catfish "Fryday." Sushi Night. These traditional UAH meals are what keep students coming back for more. "Fried Chicken Wednesday started by student request and then turned into a weekly tradition due to its popularity," says Owens, who credits "Miss Connie's original recipe" for the dish's success. "We have been doing it for about seven years now, and it even has its own hashtag - #FCW!"

Just as popular are the event meals that Sodexo hosts each semester, such as Late-Night Breakfast, a full breakfast buffet held before the start of exam week and served by the university's president and staff. And last year, they introduced "We Love Our Chargers," a student-appreciation dinner to coincide with Valentine's. "We had steak and shrimp and a chocolate fountain," she says. "Now we plan to do it once a semester to let our students know that we appreciate them all the time."

Open lines of communication…

Once a month, Sodexo managers meet with student representatives from UAH's Student Government Association, registered student organizations, and housing. "These students bring us any complaints, compliments, or suggestions that they hear from the student body," says Owens. "If a student says they love Miss Kay's sushi, we share that with her. If a student says there's a delay in service time, we get with our team to break down the problem and then follow up with the outcome at our next meeting. It's an outlet for their voices to be heard."

Students can also share their feedback via Sodexo's comment boxes, which are placed at various locations across campus and checked daily. "Whether it's a rant or a rave, this ensures we're always on top of any situation," she says. "We want to make sure we're addressing students' concerns, and if they leave their email, we can follow up with them personally to resolve it."

And service with a smile…

Owens describes the Sodexo team as a family - and part of that family, she says, is the students. That means everyone from the company's managers to the those on the front line are invested in making sure they have an experience that reflects the one they grew up with. "Many workers take the initiative to show that it's about more than just food on a plate," she says. "They greet the students with a smile and make sure they're eating the right meals."

Some, like Miss Shirley, have even become famous by campus standards. "We have so many compliment cards that say 'Miss Shirley helped me get through this week,' because she's considered their second mom," she says. "And having a person like that, who knows their name and makes sure they're having a great meal and a great day, is like a home away from home."