Director of Dining Services Jim Wulforst says his department is ready for its close-up-and not just because of The Compass Group's arrival as ARAMARK's replacement.
Dining will receive more than $1 million in additional funds this year alone--a stark contrast to the previous demand that it break even every year. "I think the president of this University is very serious about allowing me to invest more in the program," Wulforst says.
At the new culinary test kitchen in the Upper East Side of the Marketplace, there will be "broadcast quality" presentations and celebrity chefs, he reveals.
"You could see Emeril Lagasse or Bobby Flay--my goal is to bring in these types of celebrities," he says.
With two Compass brands--Bon Appétit and Chartwells--taking over some operations on East and West Campuses, Wulforst says he's going to tackle other locations with poor food and service.
"I refuse to have vendors on campus that aren't going to be fully engaged at Duke," Wulforst explains. "I don't expect these people to use us as a launching pad to leave."
At some locations--Wulforst declines to name names but says students know which ones are subpar--he hasn't seen the owners in more than a year.
"We've put many of these vendors in great places in terms of real estate... my fear is that the entrepreneurial spirit has waned a bit," he says.
One area Duke Student Government President Elliott Wolf would like to see addressed is the dearth of on-campus drinking venues, which he admits is a sensitive topic today.
"It's difficult to have more alcohol on West Campus because [Alcohol Law Enforcement] will come in and then the vendor is blamed," he explains.
Even though the likelihood of more on-campus bars is slim, students should be ready for a whole new dining experience in the fall, Wulforst says.
"Students deserve the best dining program in the country," he says. "And I'm going to give that to them."
Get The Chronicle straight to your inbox
Signup for our weekly newsletter. Cancel at any time.