Collegiate Times

After steadily climbing the ranks of the nation's top collegiate dining programs, Virginia Tech has come out on top.

In the recently released Princeton Review's "Best 366 Colleges: 2008 Edition," Tech ranked No. 1 for "Best Campus Food," passing Bowdoin College to take the top spot. After earning a No. 9 ranking in the 2006 Edition and climbing to No. 2 in 2007, Dining Services resolved to take over the top ranking in the 2008 Edition.

"When we were ranked No. 2, the whole organization said 'Let's be ranked No. 1. Let's work harder and do whatever we need to do to move up,'" said Rick Johnson, Director of Housing and Dining Services. "We were hopeful to move up from two to one but until the scoring and surveys were done, you never know where you're going to come out."

The Princeton Review rankings are computed based on surveys of student satisfaction at each of the 366 colleges and universities featured. Tech's ranking indicates the highest level of satisfaction with the food quality, customer service and innovation in its dining halls.

Mark Bratton, Executive Chef at West End Market, brings originality and quality to the food that matches the offerings at any expensive restaurant.

"The food here is creative," Bratton said. "We bring in choice rib eye, the tomatoes in our marinara sauce come from California, we use a more expensive trans fat-free oil for our fries, the London broil has all the integrity of something made in a private restaurant."

After seven years at West End, Bratton is pleased that Tech has achieved the top ranking, but even more thrilled with the level of satisfaction among the students.

"One customer at a time, we give them what they like to keep them coming back," he said.

Leading up to its first place ranking, the dining program received several national awards. The National Association of College and University Food Services awarded its grand prize for a theme dinner to "Pirate Night", held at Shultz Dining Hall last September. Deet's Place received the Golden Cup Award from the Specialty Coffee Association of America, the on-campus Au Bon Pain won the 2006 Franchise of the Year Award, and D2 won an Outstanding Design Award from American School and University Magazine. West End, the first marketplace-style college restaurant in the nation, is consistently admired and imitated by other colleges and universities.

"We have our finger on the pulse of what's happening outside our university market," Johnson said. "We look around the nation and tap into new trends before they are old hat." He cited Carvel ice cream and a new line of gourmet cupcakes as upcoming additions to which Tech students can look forward.

Though Tech's dining program has now achieved national recognition, its students have long enjoyed the offerings on campus.

"I guess I'm used to the great food we have on campus, but whenever friends come to visit they say 'Is this how you eat every day?'" said Margaret Morris, a sophomore psychology major. "That makes me realize what a great dining program we have."