Whether it was ensuring there was whipped cream on a mocha at Starbucks or sizzling chicken to perfection for a salad in the cafeteria, the College of DuPage dining services says this past year was a success.

Sodexo, a giant food service multinational based in France, provides food services to the College of DuPage. Sodexo has over 400,000 employees, including about 50 at COD. The company manages the dining options in COD’s cafeteria, as well as the Starbucks and Einstein Bagels.

Lynn Konicek, the general manager of Sodexo at the College of DuPage, attributes this year’s success to trying new things: cafeteria specials, more options in the campus cafeteria, and the first full year of Wholly Habaneros, Chick-fil-A, Einstein Bagels being open. Konicek says the different options made this year a “good year.”

“Business is up,” Konicek added.

Students have chimed in on the cafeteria’s recent successes.

Samantha Prang, an emergency medical services major, says she has enjoyed the food on campus and likes the variety it provides. As Prang munched on a chicken burrito in the cafeteria, she did mention one thing she hopes to see in the cafeteria next year.

“I think they could have a few more healthy options,” Prang said. “Maybe more salad options.”

Konicek did mention that Sodexo added a “Mindful” product line this year, which features healthier option that can be found in the “Simply to Go” coolers in the cafeteria. Konicek, who prefers to eat healthy, says her favorite items to get are vegetable sandwiches from Subway or a vegetable taco from Wholly Habaneros.

Saul Rodriguez and Lupe Rocha, both currently undecided on their majors, but both say that their favorite food option is Chick-fil-A.

Rodriguez says the only thing he would want to see in the cafeteria is the addition of televisions.

Anthony Kestas, an engineering major, is not too enthusiastic about the food on campus.

“It is cafeteria food, not gourmet or anything, but it gets the job done,” Kestas said.

Kestas, however admits he does not think that the food can get much better.

“I don’t think you can ask too much more for cafeteria food,” Kestas said. “It is a convenience thing. I was upstairs typing a paper and hungry, so I walked downstairs to get something to eat.”

Jordan Gembara, a graphic design major, says she would like to see a bit more variety on campus.

“I do feel like I eat the same thing every day,” Gembara said.

Konicek is already one step ahead of Gembara, she explains her team is working on adding more variety to the options on campus.

“We don’t want it to be the same old cafeteria every day,” Konicek said.

Konicek says this week, the cafeteria will be hosting a “Salute to Baseball,” an event featuring cotton candy, hot dogs and soft pretzels.
“We just want to provide [faculty, staff and students] with a little break in their day that gets them nourishment, but we like to have a little fun with it when we can,” Konicek said.