Quesada Burritos & Tacos and Bento Sushi have replaced Sinfully Asian in the retail location of the Bronfman building, while Quebec bakery Première Moisson is now available in the Redpath Library. Both locations opened on Sept. 2. McGill Food and Dining Services (MFDS) has also acquired a new catering group to serve many of its other food outlets.
The decisions were made by MFDS following consultation with students.
“Since the fall [of] 2013, we had several discussions [and] consultations with the Management Undergraduate Society (MUS) and the Dean of [the] Faculty of Management concerning the actual concept [of the restaurant and] to [receive] suggestions,” director of MFDS Mathieu Laperle said.
According Oliver de Volpi, executive chef of MFDS, many other considerations were made in seeking out new tenants for the Bronfman space.
“Prior experience, sustainability, management team, corporate support, financial—[as in] money brought to the table for renovations and improvements over the next [four to five] years of the contract—[were factors considered],” de Volpi said.
MUS President Sean Finnell noted that the response to the new food options has been positive.
“We put out a survey, to which 1,400 students from across campus responded,” he said. “The MUS is thus far very pleased with McGill’s decision to opt for a dual-restaurant concept.”
Furthermore, following the expiration of the university’s previous contract with food provider, Aramark corporation, Compass Group and one of its sectors, Bon Appetit management company, will now be jointly operating other retail locations on campus, including the New Residence Hall cafeteria, Redpath Library food court, Engineering Café, and Athletics Café. They will also assist in running the Carrefour Sherbrooke Cafeteria with McGill’s Student Housing and Hospitality Services (SHHS).
A major influence in the selection of food providers was their greater commitment to fresher, more local foods, according to Laperle.
“One big reason for the change to Compass [and] Bon Appetit was their shared vision for food service around campus, to have healthy, more sustainable ‘Montreal’ food around the campus,” he said. “This change to Compass [will] bring more local products—especially Macdonald Campus products—and more made-in-house, fresher products being offered to students.”
Laperle stated that the pricing at the new dining locations would not be affected, as SHHS—not the food providers—is the authority that sets prices. Meal plans will also continue to be accepted at the new vendors.
Students can submit feedback on these changes to SHHS at Service Point on McTavish, de Volpi said.
“Our reason to exist is to provide a service to the students, faculty, and staff at McGill and we hope to hear back from any of them if they are not happy,” he said.
A previous version of this article ran on Aug. 18, 2014.
