Get your lemon daffodil cupcakes while you still can: The Nasher Museum of Art Cafe's caterer is on its way out.
Sage & Swift Gourmet Catering, owned by current Nasher Chef Amy Tornquist, will cease operations at the Cafe when its contract with Duke Dining Services for the venue is terminated June 30.
"When a venue's contract is up, we entertain anyone who wants to be on campus," said Jim Wulforst, director of dining services. "Any change will be for the better."
Wulforst added that it is a standard part of the evaluation process to court different prospects as a comparative tool, even if Dining Services plans to renew the contract.
Sage & Swift did not enter a bid to remain at the Nasher.
"We looked at four candidates and narrowed it down to two finalists," Wulforst said. "I think that the work Sage & Swift has done at the Nasher has been positive, and we were looking for a vendor that has similar things to offer. We wanted a local, organic venue of sorts, and we looked to see that a vendor could present a unique menu for the Nasher."
The two finalists have been presented to Kemel Dawkins, vice president of campus services and Mary D.B.T. and James H. Semans Director of the Nasher Kimerly Rorschach, and Wulforst said he expects a decision to be made within the next few days.
Wulforst did not disclose the names of the finalists.
Following her departure from the Cafe, Tornquist plans to focus on opening two new restaurants in Durham. Watts Grocery, a Southern gastro-pub-style restaurant, is slated to open on Broad Street this August and Blue Bird Bakery will open in spring 2008.
"She's moving on because she needs to focus on what she's going to own," said Jennifer Noble Kelly, a representative for Tornquist. "At the museum, she's very limited. You can't be open for dinner or have a bar, and you can't really run a very profitable business that way."
Sage & Swift also operates the Faculty Commons in the West Union Building. Although that contract expired, it will be renewed, Wulforst said.
The Commons-which is currently open only to faculty and their guests-will also begin to offer student dinners this fall.
"We will have beer and wine available as well, just like we have done on Thursday nights at the Nasher," Tornquist wrote in an e-mail. "And the cupcakes that were so popular at the Nasher will be sold from the Commons on Main West [Campus] beginning in August."
Sage & Swift will also remain on the museum's catering list for special events.
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