I Love The DC – Contest Winners
First Place: Stacey L.
Why Stacey loves the DC: UMass Dining offers more variety than a five star restaurant, more compassion than a mother for it’s newborn, more excitement than a kid on christmas morning, and more surprises than a southwest dorm on a Friday night. To me, food is more than nutrition needed to survive, it is a time of enjoyment. I love my DC, the award-winning Berkshire. The only predicament I find myself in once I receive a friendly greeting by Yen, who swipes my card allowing me to enter a world of options, is what I should eat at that moment. The choices are endless, from stir fray to pizza or maybe you just want a simple sandwich, anything you could want is there for the taking. What other school do you know that has guest chiefs come to cook for the students, has dragons dance for chinese new year, has competitive cereal and hot-dog eating contests, and even has it’s own version of American Idol? UMass Dining is more than just food, it is an experience. I love my DC.
Second Place: Ashley F.
Why Ashley loves the DC: Diverse, welcoming, vibrant, and prestigious are only a few words that closely describe the UMASS Dining Services. UMASS’s award winning food service surely lives up to its recognition through its delectable food and dedicated staff. Whether you are in the mood for a full-course meal with all the fixings or you simply want to embrace a social atmosphere with family and friends, UMASS Dining fits all of your needs. The extensive variety of food is fit to every diet and taste, from Asian cuisine to vegetarian meals, and even a striking array of fresh cut greens at the salad bar which are accommodated with an unbelievable selection of toppings and dressings. With UMASS Dining, the taste of home that all students long for is satisfied with every meal of the day, even desert! Award winning chefs bring a touch of class to every dining common with their latest creations, which every student is fortunate enough to taste, and even personal appearances from these chefs make a trip to the dining common that more eventful. UMASS Dining Services allow for every meal of the day to be a healthy and local grown one, and that is something any student can appreciate.
Third Place: Emily B.
Why Emily loves the DC: The D.C. is something I am going to miss most about UMass post graduation. I think it’s safe to say that my dad will miss it too, since it is usually a highlight of the family visit. He’ll declare, “We didn’t have a dining common like this when I went to school…” before he goes up for his second or third helping. Not only is there always a prepared meal available early in the morning until late at night, but there is an assortment of options. There’s always a fresh salad bar, pasta, pizza, vegetarian section, entree of the day, and of course dessert. In addition to the everyday spread, the D.C. holds great events. My favorite was when the Worcester Chef taught us how to make apple pies from scratch to bring home for Thanksgiving. The D.C. also supports causes that are important to me. As a member of the Big Brothers Big Sisters organization, I am encouraged to bring my “Little Sister” to the D.C. without having to swipe her in. Furthermore, the D.C. practices numerous environmental efforts such as composting wet food waste, recycling, and educating students about food waste. Bottom line: I love the D.C.
Honorable Mention: Daniel M.
Why Daniel loves the DC: After 3 years being at Umass Amherst I really learned how much the DC did for me and my life. Entering freshman year I was very overweight and had horrible eating habits. Because of my weight problem I was very shy and timid when it came to making new friends. I started eating at Berkshire and Hampshire every day and saw all the healthy options that they presented me and decided to drop the weight and try to become a more confident and happy person. Thankfully Berkshire would always have a great salad bar prepared that I visited all the time. They also had another station that would always offer healthy and delicious choices. All the other DC’s I visited also always had a great salad bar I could eat it at all times. For the first time in my life I always had healthy food that I could eat instead of unhealthy meals I was used to back at home. With some self discipline and the DC’s always having healthy food and a comfortable atmosphere I lost the weight over the course of my freshman year. I then became a happier and more confident person. As a result I broke out of my shell and went on to make some great life long friends. I now live off campus and do not have a meal plan, but I took the healthy eating habits I learned at the DC’s and continued to keep the weight off. I also did miss the DC so much that next year I am getting a meal plan again. Overall I really do love the DC but more then that I am thankful for the DC as it truly made me a happier and healthier person.
Honorable Mention: Jacob L.
Why Jacob loves the DC: Usually twice every day, sometimes three, I make a trip to Berkshire DC. Could I just stay in my room and eat a bowl of Easy Mac? Sure I could, but Berkshire DC is much more than just food; it’s an experience. When my dad came to visit UMass a few months back, he wanted to come back to college, not for a better education, but for the massive selection that the Berkshire DC had to offer. Want to eat healthy? Help yourself to the salad bar. Want to try something different? Have a bite from the International Cuisine. Want some chicken or a burger? The Berkshire Grill is the place to go. And of course a wide selection of entrees and the bevy of desserts top off the meal. Of course, it has a lot of benefits for the busy student as well. Need to get that paper done, but are hungry as well? Stop by, grab a bite to eat, and take advantage of the Wi-Fi offered at all of the DCs. Need to hurry to your next class but are starving? Head on in to Grab-and-Go and keep right on going. That’s why I love the DCs.
