Media Advisory: UB’s Campus Dining uses multi-media makeover to transform C3 dining center to a ‘Hunger Games’ set

BUFFALO, N.Y. – University at Buffalo dining services will raise its game once again, transforming its most modern student dining area into an interactive “Hunger Games” Theme Night, complete with decorations, sound, costumes – and especially food – all inspired by the movie sensation popular among university students.

When: From 5-8:30 p.m., Tuesday, March 3.

Where: Crossroads Culinary Center (C3) residential dining center; Red Jacket Quad, Ellicott Complex, UB North Campus.

What: The dining complex (UB’s newest and one of its most well-appointed) will become a “Hunger Games” movie set. Staff will dress in “Hunger Games” costumes. Special effects will reflect the setting of the movie series. A green screen with the movie background will be set up for guests to “step into” the movie. Guests including students are encouraged to dress as their favorite “Hunger Games” character. Grand Prize for best costume: $500 Dining Dollars.

Each food station will represent a district from the “Hunger Games” books and movies.

Students are also encouraged to bring non-perishable food to the event. All items will be donated to the University Presbyterian Church food pantry. Each item guests bring earns them a soft arrow to shoot in Katniss Everdeen’s Archery Range for a chance to win a prize.

"We enjoy doing themed events that our students are really into,” says Elizabeth Amato, general manager at Crossroads Culinary Center. “The Hunger Games is very popular with this demographic, and they are super-excited for this dinner.

"The entire night will be an experience, from the food and the decor to the costumes and the food drive. There will be something for everyone."

Menu: “The books are filled with food references and we crafted the menu to include several of them,” Amato says.

A sample of the menu: orange-rosemary chicken, rabbit stew, herb-rubbed Cornish hens, Rue’s Roasted Parsnips, beef stew with crumbled bacon polenta, vegetable ratatouille and black rice, black bean and pumpkin soups. The menu also will include selections from Peeta’s Family Bakery, featuring warm and hearty local breads along with gourmet cakes and decadent sweets.

In addition, the menu will feature locally produced items, including cheese and honey.

UB’s Campus Dining welcomes members of the media to its “Hunger Games” Theme Dinner, as well as anyone from the public interested in experiencing the department’s newest special event. The evening will compete with other campuses in the 2015 National Association of College and University Food Service Loyal E. Horton awards for residential dining special events.

Previous UB special events include serving the celebratory meal featured in "Everyday With Rachael Ray," Ray's monthly magazine that used UB for its backdrop. UB’s Campus Dining also prepared a presidential seal cake served to media when President Obama spoke at Alumni Arena in August 2013, an event that attracted national attention.