Fun, inclusive options added to The Commons dining location
March 2025 – Drew University’s The Commons dining location will have a new station, the Teaching Kitchen, and a renovated, expanded allergen-friendly station, LIFE (Less Ingredients Flavorful Eats).
Both options run by Drew’s dining partner Gourmet Dining will be unveiled on March 24 in a grand opening event.
“These additions are all about meeting students where they’re at,” said Frank Merckx, vice president for Campus Life. “Students have long asked for greater food options and the ability to prepare their own meals. With these additions, we have incorporated the students’ suggestions to be as inclusive as possible and also allow students to explore, learn, and create as they see fit.”
The teaching kitchen will be an interactive and versatile addition to the on-campus dining experience. The station will allow guests to explore food, culinary, and nutrition literacy to positively impact their food choices and experiences.
The station will feature individual cooking stations equipped with different ingredients, pots, pans, utensils, and other cooking equipment for guests to create their own meals from scratch or add a personal touch to food from The Commons.
Gourmet Dining will also use the station to host events and cooking classes throughout the academic year, partnering with the campus executive chef, sous chefs, and dietitians, and bringing in celebrity guests who have been featured on TV and radio shows.
The Commons will also opened its renovated allergen-friendly station, LIFE (Less Ingredients Flavorful Eats), open to all students. The station avoids the top nine allergens (peanuts, tree nuts, fish, shellfish, eggs, milk, sesame, wheat, soy) and gluten.
The station has expanded in size and scope, offering allergen-friendly smoothies, cereals, french fries, and desserts, among other menu items.
