Northwest, Elior celebrate Bearcat Dining partnership with ribbon-cutting

Northwest, Elior celebrate Bearcat Dining partnership with ribbon-cutting

The leaders of Northwest Missouri State University and Elior Collegiate Dining gathered Thursday morning to formally commemorate the start of their partnership this fall.

Flanked by staff members of both organizations, Northwest President Dr. Lance Tatum and Al Smith II, the resident district manager for Elior's operations on the University campus, shared a pair of golden scissors to cut a green ribbon at The Jones, a retail dining space on the second floor of the J.W. Jones Student Union.

"Thank you for showing up for this monumentous moment for all of us," Smith told the gathered crowd. "As we know, we do this with a hospitality spirit, a service spirit. We're here to not only create a great partnership with the University, but also for the student body and the community as well, and we cannot do this without each other."

Northwest began its partnership in May with Elior to offer campus dining services. With 40 years of serving higher education, Elior brings a refreshed, dynamic campus dining experience to Northwest students, employees and community members.

The dining options across the campus blend long-standing favorites with new culinary concepts and flavors - all designed with the student experience in mind.

• Bearcat Commons: Northwest's traditional dining facility on the lower level of the J.W. Jones Student Union will feature a fresh, student-focused dining program - built around fresh ingredients, scratch cooking and menu variety with a collection of signature brands designed to appeal to a wide range of tastes and dietary preferences. Options will include Classic Kitchen with homestyle and local favorites; The Local Deli, a modern take on the classic delicatessen; Flame Grill with made-to-order grilled favorites; Sauce & Stone handcrafted pizzas and pastas; Street Foods with authentic flavors from around the world; Greens offering fresh, seasonal produce and customizable salads; Seasons Harvest plant-based food; and Elior's signature Sweet Shop selections that are baked on site.
• Thrive: A full, separate, standalone serving station in the J.W. Jones Student Union omits the top nine allergens, and gluten will be offered to create a safe, inclusive environment.
• Roost: Enjoy fresh, hand-breaded chicken, brined for flavor, fried for crunch and built to satisfy on a bun or in a basket in The Jones on the second floor of the Student Union.
• Buona Napoli: The new FVH option in The Jones at the Student Union features Roman-style pizza and stuffed calzones.
• Qdoba Mexican Eats: The leading fast-casual Mexican restaurant named "Best Fast Casual Restaurant" by USA Today will continue to serve the campus community in The Jones at the Student Union.
• Good Habit: FVH's fresh take on the classic American diner will make its debut in The Station.
• Starbucks: The Northwest community can load up on drinks and to-go foods in the B.D. Owens Library, making it another convenient option for students on their way to class.
• Elior's BeWell wellness and nutrition platform encourages students to dine healthier, making healthier menu options readily accessible and easily identified.

Additionally, Northwest diners can enjoy opportunities to enhance their nutrition education through live cooking demos and nutritional presentations provided by Elior's culinary team and Regional Registered Dietitian Kaylie Brand, who provides menu planning support for specialized diets as well as nutrition counseling.

For more information about dining at Northwest, including menus, hours and locations, visit https://nwmissouri.campus-dining.com/ or follow Bearcat Dining on social media at Facebook, Instagram and TikTok.