Best Drake Meals Come During Food Fair

by VA Hayman

Des Moines, Iowa (March 5, 1997)-- "That was the best meal in the history of Drake," said Rachel Dykstra (ED2) at the food fair held in Hubbell Dining Hall buffet on the evening of March 4. With 24 food booths to choose from, no one was left hungry.

The purpose of the fair was to allow the Drake students an opportunity to vote for food products that could possibly be on the menu next year. Hawkeye Food Service System, one of the main food suppliers of food at Drake, made the food fair possible.

As students entered Hubbell, they were given a packet to fill out with the booth numbers and a list of foods served. Beside the food item were three numbers from which to choose, one being don't serve, two rating the food as fair and three was definitely put on the menu. The sampling was free to students with Drake IDs.

After eating, students returned the packets so the results could be tabulated. Items served included frozen lemonade, chicken barbecue pizza, raspberry cheese croissants, skinless beer bratwurst, grilled chicken fettucine and a wide range of desserts.

Food fairs are often done at other universities. This is the first year Drake has tried a food fair. "It's been so successful, it's crazy," said Gretchen Thompson, assistant director of Hubbell dining service.

If Drake continues doing the food festival, it will be done every other year. Some years are better than others; there are only so many new items that come out every year, said Thompson.

Depending on responses, various items could be placed on next year's menu said Thompson. "This event empowers students to make choices for foods they want in the future."

There were a number of vegetarian items students could choose from, including vegetarian lasagna and meatless chicken nuggets. "It's a vegetarian world were coming into," said Debbie Morlin, a representative of the Hockenberg Newburgh food brokerage company in Des Moines.

"There were a lot of vegetarian items served, which Drake has typically not been know for," Dykstra said.

The event was well-attended by Drake students. Celeste Bromley (JO4) enjoyed the vegetarian lasagna. "Of course, the desert was the best," Bromley said.

Sitting quietly at a table Tony Daguanno (JO2) licked his fingers after he has finished his Snackwell cookies dipped in pudding. Satisfied smiles appeared as full Drake students left Hubbell.

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