Campus Dining and Shops (CDS) has received a gold award in the 2023 Loyal E. Horton Dining Awards sponsored by the National Association of College and University Food Services (NACUFS).

The gold award, given in the category of Retail Sales – Single Concept/Multiple Concepts/Marketplace for large institutions, recognizes One World Café, UB’s international eatery and community space for faculty, staff, students and visitors.

CDS submitted a 52-page book entry for the contest that highlighted all the major components of One World Café, including menus and meals, facility design and merchandising, marketing, nutrition and wellness, and overall “wow factors.”

“It’s truly a great honor to be recognized by our peers from other universities,” says Eric Blackledge, CDS executive director. “These awards are among the most prestigious national honors in higher education food services and are a reflection of the incredible talents and hard work of our dedicated staff.”

As one of the highest-scoring entries, One World Café and CDS are now in the running for the Grand Prize Award, which will be announced at NACUFS’ national conference in July.

The Loyal E. Horton Dining Awards, named for the NACUFS founder and past president, are the ultimate tribute in the campus food service industry. They recognize exemplary menus, presentations, special event planning and new dining concepts, and provide an avenue for sharing ideas and creative presentations in campus dining services.