Eat at State News

Group photos of chefs competing in the Culinary Challenge

Culinary Services chefs competed on Monday, Dec. 17 at McDonel Hall during an internal Culinary Challenge. Six team members vied for the opportunity to represent MSU at the National Association of College and University Food Services (NACUFS) Midwest Regional Conference. Competitors included:

Students at the Thanksgiving Day Unity Dinner

For the past 15 years, Spartans on campus have had the opportunity to gather on Thanksgiving Day and enjoy a warm meal among company. It all started in 2003 when Felipe Lopez, then an out-of-state student, invited others to join him for dinner in the East Akers lounge.

Chef Kurt with MCCA Chef of the Year Award

MSU Corporate Executive Chef Kurt Kwiatkowski was honored with the Chef of the Year Award from the Michigan Chefs de Cuisine Association (MCCA) on Oct. 1, 2018. The recognition was presented at their Annual Awards Gala at Walnut Creek Country Club in South Lyon.

Sparty's Market

Michigan State University (MSU) Culinary Services (CS) has been awarded silver in the retail sales marketplace category and bronze in the residential dining special event category from the National Association of College and University Food Services (NACUFS). The recognitions honor Sparty’s Market and the Beauty and the Beast Dinner held at Hubbard Hall in October 2017.

Brenda Nelson

Brenda Nelson, complex dining service manager for East Neighborhood, recently received the 2018 Equity and Inclusion Award from the Michigan chapter of the American College Personnel Association (ACPA-MI).

Don Donagrandi

Don Donagrandi, the Brody Neighborhood dining manager for MSU Culinary Services, has been selected as a recipient of the Jack Breslin Distinguished Staff Award. He oversees operations for Brody Square and Heritage Commons at Landon, which serve approximately 1.5 million meals per year combined.

Chef Kurt (Third from Left) and Other ACF Honorees

At a recent American Culinary Federation (ACF) ChefConnect regional conference, Culinary Services (CS) Corporate Chef Kurt Kwiatkowski received one of the highest honors bestowed by the organization.

Batman actor on the Batcycle

Michigan State University (MSU) Culinary Services (CS) has been awarded silver in the residential dining special event category from the National Association of College and University Food Services (NACUFS) for the Superheroes Halloween Event held at Hubbard Hall in October 2016. The award was presented July 15 during the NACUFS National Conference in Nashville, Tenn.