Metz Culinary Management, Inc. (Metz) is rolling out a new multi-faceted dining initiative for the fall 2023 back-to-college season called Adventure Awaits at higher education venues across Metz markets. Adventure Awaits is delivered through innovative events including Welcome Back Day, Innovation Table and Elite Ingredient of the Month, with Street Eats and VegFest back by popular demand. Metz also is introducing an allergen-free concept, Pure + Simple.
“Metz’s goal for our Higher Ed partners is to explore globally inspired foods that encompass the spices and flavors of the world while providing diners with enticing menu options that they love,” said Ed Knacke, Division Executive Chef/Higher Ed/Independent Schools for Metz. “As we return to school, we want to engage our guests with menus that are tasty, nutritious and healthful.”
Welcome Back Day is a one-day celebration at the beginning of the school year that combines traditional American picnic dishes such as chicken salad, lemonade, and hamburgers complemented by a variety of global dishes. Global recipes have been developed by Certified Master Chef Ron DeSantis and Iron Chef Ming Tsai. Recipes pull from three continents and include: Caribbean black beans, Jamaican jerk pork, Cuban roasted chicken, butter chicken, toasted tikka masala, vegan arepas, Hawaiian chicken, tacos and traditional Mexican street corn. These global dishes are intended to satisfy growing international student populations as well as expanded interest from domestic students in a variety of ethnic flavors. Metz plans to weave global recipes into its menus across the school year.
Innovation Table will occur every other week. This program gives Metz’s chefs the opportunity to step away from the kitchen and present any culinary offering that they like. Chefs will offer small plates that provide students with the opportunity to taste specialty dishes such as mussel paella or other trending bites like smash tacos.
Elite Ingredient of the Month is an ongoing program, created to inspire guests to try a new healthy food and learn about its benefits in a fun and inspiring way. Designed by a Metz registered dietitian, the program features a new food item each month and highlights its health benefits. Elite Ingredients constitute “functional foods” because their nutritional content provides powerful support for health, including reduced risk of many disease states, decrease in stress, improved mental health and better athletic performance.
Street Eats & VegFest are returning with Street Eats now offered company-wide. In October, VegFest will lean heavily on Chef Ming Tsai’s MingsBings, which are plant-based, gluten-free, vegetarian items combined with savory sauces. MingsBings have the added benefit of delivering extra nutrition to our vegan and vegetarian students.
Pure + Simple is an allergen-free concept rolling out at Newberry College in Newberry, South Carolina after Labor Day. The program addresses the top nine food allergens including: chicken eggs, peanuts, tree nuts, sesame, fish, shellfish, soy, cow’s milk (dairy) and wheat. Food items are labeled so students can easily understand which selections are free from specific allergens. As a build-your-own concept, guests will be able to create their own plates from multiple offerings.
“Metz’s Fall 2023 Adventure Awaits initiative promises to delight the taste buds with fun, nutritionally robust and flavorful meals for all guests,” said Knacke. “Everyone can find something to love, from global-inspired plates to nutrient-packed functional foods, traditional meals, allergen-free offerings, street favorites, and MingsBings – all exciting meal offerings that tantalize the senses while supporting health and wellness.”
Toasted Tikka Masala
Traditional Mexican Street Corn.
Beef Birria Tacos