Princeton Review Names Virginia Tech No. 1 in Dining

BLACKSBURG, Va., August 21, 2007—Virginia Tech dining is No. 1 in the nation, according to The Princeton Review’s "Best 366 Colleges: 2008 Edition." The university has steadily climbed the ranks of the best campus food category, improving upon last year's No. 2 spot.

Virginia Tech's ranking indicates the highest student satisfaction rating among college dining programs in the United States. The Princeton Review surveys are based upon student evaluations in a variety of categories. Students from each of the 366 featured schools complete opinion polls about their own colleges, which are then compared to student feedback at other colleges.

Providing high quality food, offering excellent customer service, and staying abreast of current dining trends have become hallmarks of Virginia Tech dining. Customer satisfaction is paramount, and Dining Services improves facilities, employs executive chefs and trained culinary professionals, and follows stringent food safety procedures in an effort to increase satisfaction.

Virginia Tech received three Loyal E. Horton Awards this year and the grand prize for a theme dinner from the National Association of College and University Food Services. Individual restaurants receive recognition as well, including Deet’s Place’s Golden Cup Award from the Specialty Coffee Association of America, a 2006 Franchise of the Year Award for Au Bon Pain, and D2’s Outstanding Design Award from American School & University Magazine.

The program’s success stems from an effort to tailor facilities to students’ needs. Students are encouraged to share their opinions by talking to dining center staff or filling out online and paper comment cards. A panel of Student Advisory Committee volunteers meets regularly with administrators to provide input. Housing and Dining Services has made changes to menus, improved facilities, and extended hours of operation as a result of feedback from these programs.

For more information about the Virginia Tech dining program, visit www.studentprograms.vt.edu/dining.

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