NEW GROUP REMAKES OLD IMAGE OF CAMPUS DINING

by David Baugher

Display cookery, interactive trivia games and alcoholic beverages are only some of the changes that await students who visit the newly redesigned Cove and Underground restaurants this semester.

"Quite honestly, returning students who've been away for the summer won't recognize any of the spaces, won't recognize any of the menus, won't regocnize any of the foods," Ron Medley of Food Service Consultants, said.

In July, Food Services Consultants, a locally owned business started in 1985, was awarded the contract to provide food service for the UM-St. Louis campus into the year 2000 when the new University Center is expected to be completed. The company took over campus food service at the beginning of this month.

Three other contractors, including the previous service provider Aramark, which has run both the Cove and the Underground for the past five years, bid for the new contract. Aramark's contract expired at the end of last month.

The extensive overhaul of both campuses eateries, estimated to cost more than $40,000, is expected to be completed in time for the grand opening today.

Medley said the Cove renovations are part of an effort to make campus dining a looser, more relaxed experience.

"We felt it was too stuffy," he said. "What we're trying to create is more of a college hangout, kind of a neutral ground, where faculty, staff and students can all feel comfortable."

Improvements to the Cove will include a new paint job with a deep sea motife and the installation of four TV monitors showing ESPN and CNN. Diners will also have access to the National Trivia Network, which will feature interactive trivia games such as QB1, a contest run during Monday Night Football where participants can test their sports knowledge against thousands of other viewers. Live entertainment will also be available on Wednesday nights in the Summit area next to the Cove with the conversion of the old TV room into a stage. Menu changes are another new feature.

"The whole menu was tossed and redone," Medley said. "It's a relaxed menu, kind of a fun menu."

The choices now include such dished as "Pizza Soup" and "Nacho Mama," along with hand-dipped milkshakes. Medley said the Cove will also serve alcoholic beverages, with a focus on Missouri beers and wines.

Changes to the Underground will be just as sweeping. Fast food establishments like Taco Bell and Pizza Hut are gone, replaced with a set of small themed, display cookery restaurants that feature fresh, made-to-order foods. These foods range from stir fry meals to deli-style meats and cheeses. Carry-out and on-campus delivery pizza is now available as well.

"We're not really into wrapping something up and putting it in a chute for you to grab," Medley said. "That's not what we do."

Other areas of food services will feel the change as well. The campus coffee carts will now feature sandwiches and bottled juices. UM-St. Louis convenience stores may also widen their selections.

For more information and menu specials, you can reach the campus food service home page at:http://www.umsl.edu/services/bookstor/munchies.