The Menu Makers play a pivotal role in ensuring that student feedback is central to the decisions made in the dining facilities.

“We collaborate with Quinnipiac Dining to help shape the Create Global menu based on student preferences. We help generate ideas for new menu items, provide feedback on existing options, and ensure that our menu reflects what students want. The role involves both creativity and communication since we act as a bridge between students and Quinnipiac Dining to help improve the dining experience,” said Synder.

The group selects lunch and dinner options from a variety of cultural cuisines for rotating four-week cycles. The Menu Makers place student preferences at the forefront of their decision-making process.

“We use student feedback, surveys and tabling to try to provide options that are inclusive to all of our students and their cultures,” said Fine-Lease.

The student leaders also participate in dining advisory boards hosted every other week to facilitate conversations with students about new options they would like to see. Some of these suggestions have culminated directly into new menu items.

“We have come up with multiple dishes that people enjoy and love that we have added over the past year. Our potato bar, crusted salmon, shrimp dishes and different chicken dishes like chicken franchise and orange chicken, have been a hit among many students here at Quinnipiac,” said Fittipaldi.

The Menu Maker role also helps connect students to their administrative leaders.

“Being able to contribute ideas that are implemented helps create a stronger sense of connection between students and Quinnipiac Dining, and it ensures that the dining experience continues to evolve based on real feedback,” said Snyder.

The group also works directly with the campus culinary staff, including Campus Executive Chef Timothy Pratt.

“Through direct feedback to the Menu Makers, the students have the ability to shape what their dining experience is in collaboration with the culinary team,” said Pratt. “The Menu Makers have given another outlet for students to influence their own dining experience for the better.”

The Menu Makers will continue to expand their influence across the campuses in the coming weeks. The group is beginning to make four-week rotations for the Create Global station on the York Hill Campus.

Students can expect to see more changes with their own input and feedback as the Menu Makers continue to develop new dishes and variety within the dining stations.