Special Events

Click on each event’s banner for more information…

Midnight Buffet/FB 5000 Celebration

Midnight Buffet/Facebook 5000 celebration will be featured in all DCs Thursday, May 6 from 9 pm—2 am at Berkshire & Worcester. Hampshire & Franklin will be open until midnight. Sample the Omelet Bar, Chicken Caesar Salad, Gourmet Pizza, Chicken Fingers and more! Worcester and Berkshire will also host a DJ for your enjoyment.

Noodles from the land of the Rising Sun

Introducing our newest Japanese noodle bar featuring ramen and udon noodles at the Berkshire DC with guest chef/cookbook author Hiroko Shimbo. Berkshire Dining Commons, April 7th 5-9 PM.

Thai Dinner

Enjoy fabulous Thai dishes and a demonstration from Chef Chai Siriyarn of the famed Marnee Restaurant of San Francisco, one of the best Thai Restaurants in the nation. March 31st Worcester DC Oak Room 5-9 PM.

Fresh Asparagus Introduces Spring

Fresh Asparagus Introduces Spring! Enjoy fresh asparagus in all DCs March 22–26. Treat yourself to extraordinary menu choices: Asparagus and mushroom filled crepes, asparagus fettuccine with pancetta and basil in a white wine broth, asparagus and rock shrimp risotto, and more!

Meet Betty Rosbottom

Meet Betty Rosbottom, cookbook author, syndicated food columnist, and cooking teacher, at Berkshire DC Thursday, March 25 from 5—9 pm. Sample Betty’s recipes from The BIG BOOK OF BACKYARD COOKING.

Maple Madness

Celebrate MAPLE MADNESS in all DCs Thursday, March 11 from 7 am—9 pm. Sample Maple Pecan Scones, Maple Chicken Wings, and more… Enter to win a basket of local New England Maple Treats.

An Epic Battle of Taste!

Visiting College Chef Series continues with AN EPIC BATTLE OF TASTE Tuesday, March 9 at Berkshire DC from 5—9 pm. Meet Chefs from Stanford University, Villanova University, University of Georgia and University of Iowa. Sample regional favorites and authentic Indian specialties

Cows for Africa

UMass Dining partners with Land O’Lakes…Cows for Africa Tuesday, March
2 in all DCs 7 am–9 pm.

Learn how a better quality of life is being created worldwide
Points earned by UMass will provide a cow for an African family
Sample products made with Land O’ Lakes ingredients
Win prizes

Dine & Win!

Make sure to enter Dine & Win! UMass Dining & Coca-Cola partnered to offer this chance for you to win a trip for two with $500 spending money. You and a guest will fly to any destination during Spring Break in North America including 48 states and Canada! Open to UMass dining customers; no purchase necessary; must be 18 years old or older.

Dede Wilson Cup Cake Decorating

Frost Your Own Cupcake! All DCs will feature this event Wednesday, February 24 from 5—9 pm. Berkshire DC will host Dede Wilson, TV personality, local author, & Pastry Chef Extraordinaire. Meet Dede and learn special decorating tips.

Pioneer Harvest Dinner

Join UMass Dining at the Pioneer Harvest Dinner in all of the Dining Commons. The menu will include local turkey, fruits, and vegetables.

All Treats, No Tricks Saturday, October 31 in all DC from 5—9 pm

Join the biggest Halloween Party on Campus! Enjoy Maine live lobsters, New York strip steak, Chesterfield chicken, and local items including mulled cider and candied apples. Make sure to enter the Pumpkin Painting and Student Costume Contests to win fabulous prizes! Entertainment will include Table Magic, Fortune Telling, and DJs. All are welcome; use your meal card or $15 cash.

Guest Chef UNH Executive Chef Ralph Coughenour

UNH Executive Chef Ralph Coughenour will kick off 2009-10 Visiting College Chef Series on Friday, October 16th from 5pm to 9pm at Berkshire DC before the game on Saturday. Come sample the Wildcats’ favorites and cheer for UMass.

Local Guest Chef Week

Sample signature dishes with local flavor during Local Guest Chef Week in all the DCs September 28–October 1. Monday Franklin DC hosts Chef Paul Hathaway of Chez Albert; Tuesday, meet Jake Perkins Chef at Eastside Grill at Worcester DC; Wednesday Chef Chris Ramirez will feature his specialties at Berkshire DC; Thursday, Chef Peter Langlois of the Smithsonian will greet you at Hampshire DC.

Taste of Home 2009

UMass Dining Welcomes Parents and Guests to Family Weekend Fall 2009. Recipes submitted from home are being served at all Dining Commons for lunch September 26. Make sure to pick up a Taste of Home Cookbook.

Massachusetts HARVEST For STUDENTS Week

Massachusetts HARVEST For STUDENTS Week will be celebrated in all DCs Monday, September 21—24. Meet John Ash, nationally renowned wine/food educator, restaurateur, and cookbook author of From the EARTH to the TABLE, Wednesday and Thursday during dinner. Sample fresh from the garden produce provided by local farms and orchards.

Jelly Bean Contest 2009

Enter to win a sweet deal! Guess how many jelly beans are in the jar at your favorite DC. The person guessing the number closest to the exact number will win the jar of jelly beans. Drawing will be held Tuesday, September 29.

General Mills Week 2009

Join the festivities for General Mills Week in the DCs! Make sure to sign up for the Cereal Eating Contest at Worcester DC Thursday, 9/17 and meet the Pillsbury doughboy at the Bluewall Wednesday, 9/15. Enjoy samples, prizes, and enter the Beatles Rock Band Competition Friday, 9/18!

Late Night Brunch

Join the excitement of Late Night Brunch from 9 pm—Midnight at either Worcester DC or Berkshire DC. Voted as one of the students’ favorite specials!

Taste of Tuscany

Welcome Guest Chef Bruno Wehren from Las Vegas and enjoy Taste of Tuscany September 8—11. Sample Bruno’s signature recipes at dinner Worcester DC Tuesday, 9/8, Wednesday, 9/9 at Berkshire DC, Thursday, 9/10 at Hampshire DC, and Friday, 9/11 at Franklin DC.

Welcome Back BBQ

Welcome Back “Green” BBQ will feature local food, entertainment and fun! Make sure to join the festivities Monday, September 7 from 4—7 pm at the Fine Arts Center Plaza…rain date Tuesday, September 8. See you there!

Midnight Buffet

Midnight Buffet in all DCs Thursday, May 14th from 9 pm to midnight…take a break from studying & join the crowd for your favorite special! Sample the extensive menu and relax.

Southwest Spring Fling BBQ

Join the festivities at the Southwest Spring Fling BBQ Tuesday, May 12 at the Southwest Beach from 4:30—8 pm. Enjoy grilled chicken, grilled New York steak, garden burger, fresh fruit salad and more! DJ, Matt Peterson will play your favorite tunes.

Guest Chef Mark Bratton

Berkshire DC will welcome back Executive Chef, Mark Bratton, CEC from Virginia Tech for the Visiting College Chef Series Tuesday, May 5 from 5—9 pm. Mark will feature Food Favorites of the Hokie Nation: North, South, East & West. Grilled Southwest Chicken Salad, Grilled Mahi-Mahi, NY Strip with Horseradish Cream and more…will be showcased.

Worcester/Franklin Spring Fling BBQ

Join the festivities at the Worcester/Franklin Spring Fling BBQ Monday, May 11 at the Quad north of Worcester DC from 4:30—8 pm. Enjoy grilled chicken, grilled New York steak, garden burger, fresh fruit salad and more! DJ, Matt Peterson will play your favorite tunes.

Guest Chef Mark Bratton

Faculty Appreciation Week 2009

Faculty members are cordially invited to join us for breakfast, lunch or dinner at any DC (Dining Commons), during the week May 4—8. This is our way to introduce you to your Award Winning Dining Services, and an opportunity for us to say “Thank You”, on behalf of the students for your hard work and dedication. If you would like to accompany students, or attend with colleagues, the choice is up to you.

Taste of Home 2009

Our Chefs have selected a number of great recipes from some of your homes, to be featured at various DCs. Enjoy delicious food, just like Mom makes it.

Chef Craig J. Mombert

Sample some of the delicious southern-style recipes from Davidson College’s executive chef Craig J. Mombert, and understand why the NCAA basketball leading scorer, Stephen Curry, loves the food there.

Taste of UMass

The Taste of UMass returns Thursday, April 23 at the Mullins Center from 4:30—8 pm. Join the excitement with World Street Food, Competitions…Nathan’s Famous Hot Dog Eating Contest, UMass Idol and Student Iron Chef Competition. Enter to win fabulous prizes including Wii drawing every hour and a pair of front row Red Sox tickets. Meet celebrity Chef Martin Yan and MC Kevin Brauch. NE Patriot Cheerleaders, Minuteman Mascot, UMass Cheerleaders, magic show, professional pizza tosser and balloon sculptor will also add to the festivities. Special buses to the Mullins Center will leave at 4:00 pm.

Executive Chef from Princeton University

Visiting College Chef Series will be showcased at Berkshire DC Wednesday, April 15 from 5—9 pm. Welcome Executive Chef Robert Harbison from Princeton University and enjoy the Food, Mood & Attitude menu featuring Grilled Hanger Steak Slider with Chipotle Mayo, Sesame Crispy Chicken with Vegetable Slaw, and Open Face Ravioli topped with Locatelli Crisp. Indulge in Princeton Tiger Cake!

Celebrate American Produce Week

Celebrate American Produce Week at UMass Dining April 6—10 at Worcester, Franklin, and Hampshire DCs. Enjoy a fresh salad made to order at lunch and dinner. Make sure to enter to win a Fruit and Vegetable tote filled with treats!

Senior Executive Chef Peter Rosenberg from Texas A & M

Welcome Senior Executive Chef Peter Rosenberg from Texas A & M for the Visiting College Chef Series at Berkshire DC Wednesday, April 8 from 5—9 pm. Chef Peter will showcase a Taste of Texas menu featuring Grilled Marinated Garlic Chili Flank Steak with Southwest Cole Slaw, Seared Red Snapper with Ginger Mango Relish, Stir Fried Southwest Vegetables with Chayote Squash and Black Beans, and more!

Tyson Week

Celebrate Tyson Week at UMass from 5—9 pm. Sample all natural Tyson dishes starting Tuesday, March 31, at Worcester DC; Wednesday, April 1 at Franklin DC; Thursday, April 2 at Berkshire DC; Friday April 3 at Hampshire DC.

It’s Spring – Sweet!

It’s Spring – Sweet! Celebrate the season with a Freshens smoothie and “create your own cupcake” to further sweeten your day. Join TV personality and cookbook author, Dede Wilson and our won UMass pastry chefs, Chef Simon Stevenson and Chef Pam Adams at a DC near you.

Chef Hiroko Shimbo

Meet famed chef Hiroko Shimbo, taste some of the finest Japanese dishes and join in for the Tea Ceremony. Exclusively at the Oakroom, Worcester Dining Commons. March 10th from 5-9pm.

Decadent Dark Chocolate Fondue

Indulge In Decadent Dark Chocolate Fondue! Sample luscious chocolate fondue in all DCs Wednesday, March 11 from 5—9 pm. Meet UMass Pastry Chefs: Simon Stevenson and Pam Adams

Smuckers

Smucker’s Thursday, is March 5 all day at Worcester DC, Franklin DC and Hampshire DC. Sample a Smucker’s recipe at each meal and enter to win fabulous prizes! There will also be an “Uncrustable” sampling at Worcester DC.

Berkeley Guest Chef

Visiting College Chef Series will be showcased at Berkshire DC Wednesday, March 4 from 5—9 pm. Meet Executive Chef, Don Cortes, and sample Grilled Wild Pacific Halibut with Fennel, Coq au Vin (in sherry sauce), Carved Pork Loin with Honey Mustard Sauce and more!

Blueberry Week Special

Break out from the winter cold and join us at the DCs for our award winning Blueberry Week Special (Feb 25-28).

Winter Dinner

Enjoy the Winter Celebration with Local Ingredients Tuesday, February 17 from 5—9 pm at Worcester DC, Franklin DC and Hampshire DC. Sample local products such as hot mulled cider, roast turkey, mashed potatoes, honey glazed carrots, grilled butternut squash and much more!

Yale Guest Chef

Visiting College Chef Series will be featured at Berkshire DC Wednesday, February 18 from 5—9 pm. Meet Yale Executive Chef, Thomas Peterlik, and sample Roast Turkey, (Free-Range) with Cranberry Chutney, New England Seafood Bake, Grass-Fed Burgers and more…

Celebrate Mardi Gras

Celebrate Mardi Gras in all of the UMass DCs Tuesday, February 24 from 5—9 pm. Sample Chicken and Andouille Smoked Sausage Gumbo, Fried Oysters, Catfish, Roast Pork Loin and much more. Enjoy lively music!

Meet Executive Chef, Kurt Leumann

Visiting College Chef Series will be showcased at Berkshire DC Tuesday, February 10 from 5—9 pm. Meet Executive Chef, Kurt Leumann of Canada, and sample some of the University of Western Ontario favorites: Bombay Mulligatawny Soup, Orange-Pomegranate Duck Salad, Haddock en Papillote with Spanish Rice, Red Pepper Seared Pork Chop with Pommes Gratinee and many more. Bon appétit

Be My Sweet Valentine

Be My Sweet Valentine! Indulge in fabulous desserts from our very own UMass Bake Shop. Chocolate Fondue with fresh fruit, Chocolate Torte, Chocolate Boston Cream Pie will be just a few of the choices featured at dinner in all DCs Saturday, February 14. Enter to win the Grand Prize: Godiva Chocolates & One Dozen Red Roses. The drawing is February 13.

Sample Amherst’s Own

Winter soups by Betty Rosbottom and artisan bread from our Pastry Chef Simon Stevenson. You won’t want to miss it – the best of both worlds. Wednesday, Feb 4; 5-9 Berkshire DC

Celebrate Chinese New Year

Celebrate Chinese New Year Tuesday, January 27 in all DCs from 5—9 pm. Lucky Money will be given to the first 200 customers and don’t miss the Lion Dancers, too! Kong Hee Fatt Choy menu includes: Peking Duck and Suckling Pig.

Welcome Back

Welcome Back to your Award Winning UMass Dining! Each day January 25—31 a special treat will be offered in each DC. UMass spring water, Chinese New Year’s, and the General Mills Cereal Eating Contest are just a few of the activities.

You will love our upcoming specials! Visiting College Chef Series, Valentine’s Chocolate Fondue, Restaurant Week, Taste of UMass, and more!

Celebrate Winter Solstice

Celebrate Winter Solstice in all DCs Thursday, December 11 from 5—9 pm. Local roast turkey, seafood risotto, local harvest vegetable medley and mulled hot cider will be among the feature menu items. Ginger pear cake from the UMass Bake Shop will be the dessert choice.

Visiting College Chef Series

Welcome Executive Chef John Krickl Tuesday, December 9 at Berkshire DC from 5—9 pm. John will be showcasing Wildcat favorites: crab and broccoli bisque, roast pork loin, grilled chicken Tuscany, layered Athenian beef & eggplant bake and more!

Late Night Brunch

Join us for Late Night Brunch in all DCs Monday, December 15 from 9 pm—midnight. Sample breakfast pizza, omelet bar, chicken fingers with dipping sauces and much more!

Ultimate Cranberry Sampling

Don’t miss the Ultimate Cranberry Sampling in all DCs Wednesday, December 3 from 7 am—9 pm. Special cranberry menu choices will be featured at each meal, enter to win an Ocean Spray Skateboard, and sample Craisins at dinner.

Savor Artisan Bread & Soup Special

Savor Artisan Bread & Soup Special will be featured in all DCs Monday, November 24 from 5—9 pm. Artisan breads from the UMass Bake Shop will be showcased with a choice of soups including: Clam Chowder, Minestrone and Gold Rush Tomato Fennel.

A taste of Italy

Enjoy A Taste of Italy with World Class Chef Bruno Wehren Tuesday, November 18—21 in all the DCs from 5—9 pm. Sample Bruno’s five course signature dishes:

Tuesday, November 18 – Worcester DC

Wednesday, November 19 – Franklin DC

Thursday, November 20 – Berkshire DC

Friday, November 21-Hampshire DC

Frost your own cupcake

Frost your own cupcake! Join us at Worcester DC Tuesday, November 11 from 5—8 pm. Learn decorating tips from local author, TV personality, and Pastry Chef extradinaire, Dede Wilson.

Celebrate Five College Africa Day 2008

Celebrate Five College Africa Day 2008 at Worcester DC Saturday, November 1 from 5—9 pm. Sample authentic African cuisine: peanut soup with chicken, salmon with palava sauce, and bean stew with chicken. Enjoy Destination Africa, too, at Herter Hall from 2—6 pm.

Local Chefs & Native Ingredients

Local Chefs & Native Ingredients will be featured in the DCs November 3—5. Indulge in signature entrees with local ingredients Monday, November 3 at Franklin DC with Chef/Owner Andy Sussman from Butternuts Eatery. Tuesday Worcester DC hosts Chef/Owner Kenny Cheung who will offer authentic Chinese specialties from the Great Wall Restaurant; and Wednesday, November 5 Hampshire DC welcomes Chef/Owner Max Brody who will showcase favorites from the Night Kitchen.

All Treats, No Tricks

Halloween 2008 in the DCs Friday, October 31st from 5—9 pm.
Enjoy clam chowder, New England live lobster, New York strip steak or ratatouille (local) and more. Make sure to sign up for the Pumpkin Painting contest and come in costume for the UMass Student Costume contest. There are fabulous prizes for both events. There will be table magic and fortune telling, too! All are welcome. Use your meal card or $15 cash.

Taste of Home 2008

UMass Dining Welcomes Parents & Guests to Homecoming Fall 2008! Taste of Home recipes submitted from home will be featured in all Dining Commons for lunch Saturday, October 18. Also, visit our information booth on the concourse at the Mullins Center from 8:30—10:30 am and receive a complimentary UMass tote bag.

Risotto Bar

Create your own risotto in the DCs October 14—17 from 5—9 pm. You will have topping choices: asparagus, mushrooms, sun dried tomatoes, butternut squash (local), onions (local), seafood, and more!

Apple Festival

Annual Apple Festival with fruit from our own UMass Cold Spring Orchard will be featured in all DCs October 20—24. Sample local, delicious, crisp apples, fresh cider, and apple entrees featured daily!

Wild Alaska Seafood Week

Wild Alaska Seafood Week will be featured in a specific dining commons October 6–9 during lunch and dinner. Randy Rice, Seafood Technical Director for the Alaska Seafood Marketing Institute, will speak on seafood sustainability and health Wednesday, October 8th at 7 pm in the Berkshire Room.

Thai Dinner

Meet award winning Chef-Owner & Author, Chai Siriyarn, of the famed Marnee Restaurant, San Francisco in the Oakroom at Worcester DC Wednesday, October 1 from 5—9 pm. Sample authentic traditional Thai food, fine home-styled cooking, signature dishes, and watch a Pad Thai demonstration.

Ivy Celebration

The Ivy Celebration Dinner will be featured in all DCs Tuesday, September 30 from 5—9 pm. UMass Dining received the prestigious Ivy Award last spring for exquisite cuisine, global flavors and sustainable dining. Join the special festivities at Berkshire DC where Pat Dailey, Publisher of R& I Magazine will unveil the coveted Ivy Plate.