Outdated Facility Replaced By First-Of-Its-Kind Food Emporium

The newest dining option for students, the Fresh Plate food emporium at Texas Tech University’s Bledsoe/Gordon Residence Hall, holds its grand opening next week.

The Fresh Plate’s grand opening is set for Oct. 1-5. Prizes will be given out each day; samples will be available around Memorial Circle and the first 25 visitors will receive a free meal pass. Raider Red also will be on hand to sign autographs and pose for pictures from 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m Thursday (Oct. 4) and Red Raiders can sign up daily for a chance to win an iPod Shuffle on Friday (Oct. 5).

The Fresh Plate, the first of its kind on campus, was designed around busy students’ desires and lifestyles. It offers chef-inspired all-one-cares-to-eat options prepared on site, including flame-grilled choices, Mexican-themed selections, Asian-inspired dishes, fresh salads, pasta sensations, home-style choices and a variety of fruits and desserts. The menu rotates on a daily basis to provide a variety of fresh options.

The $950,000 renovation project offers convenient and quick service in an upscale, fun environment.

"This is a groundbreaking concept in campus residential dining," said David Deason, associate director for Hospitality Services. "We are excited to be one of the first in the country to bring it to our students."

Hospitality Services promotes each student’s learning experience by serving excellence in providing superior quality food and facilities, exceptional customer service and healthy and convenient dining options. Hospitality Services serves over 3 million award-winning meals in two traditional dining halls, two food courts, five mini-markets, retail operations and catering services each academic year.

For more information about The Fresh Plate food emporium, or to schedule an interview, please contact Sam Bennett, director of Hospitality Services, at (806) 742-1360 or via e-mail at sam.bennett@ttu.edu, or David Deason, associate director of Hospitality Services, at (806) 742-1966 or david.deason@ttu.edu.