Learning Is Delicious
How UH creates community
and cultural connections
in the dining halls
Preparing and sharing diverse food options that appeal to the campus community is a happy challenge for UH Dining Services.
Preparing and sharing diverse food options that appeal to the campus community is a happy challenge for UH Dining Services.
DaNesha Allen, director of food service
DaNesha Allen, director of food Sservice
Lunar New Year attendees were treated to a traditional Chinese dance by Assistant Professor of Chinese Melody Yunzi Li.
Lunar New Year attendees were treated to a traditional Chinese dance by Assistant Professor of Chinese Melody Yunzi Li.
Some days, only the flavors of home will satisfy that gnawing craving or give that extra zip of energy needed to conquer a difficult to-do list. At the University of Houston, preparing and sharing the diversity of food options on campus is a happy challenge for UH Dining Services.
As the No.2 most ethnically diverse public research university in the United States, UH is home to international students from 137 countries and employees from around the world. Working alongside Chartwells Higher Education, UH Dining strives to produce quality dishes and dining experiences that reflect the UH community.
On any given day at Moody Towers and Cougar Woods Dining Commons, faculty, staff and students can find food ranging from a toasted bagel with cream cheese schmear and a bowl of coq au vin to a savory bowl of butter chicken and a side of lentil dal with coconut.
Finding ways to connect the UH community through food are what DaNesha Allen, director of Food Service, and the dining program team do as an important part of their mission.
“These celebrations reflect the UH family and resonate with the university’s diverse campus population.”
“We envision that our dining program reflects our campus community, and we embrace opportunities to highlight diversity and inclusion, which are keys to student retention and enhancing the campus experience,” said Allen.
In January, UH Dining recognized Lunar New Year at Cougar Woods Dining Commons, complete with music, dance, games, information tables and a culturally inspired menu.
Considering the university’s cultural diversity, UH Dining celebrates what makes each culture unique. A big part of that is bringing the community together to celebrate and learn more about one another through national initiatives such as International Education Week and by celebrating special events such as Diwali and Hispanic Heritage Month.
“These celebrations reflect the UH family and resonate with the university’s diverse campus population,” said Allen.
UH Dining brings communities together over a shared appreciation of delicious food.
UH Dining brings communities together over a shared appreciation of delicious food.
The UH community donned their pyjama punjabi and beautiful saris to celebrate Diwali.
The UH community donned their pyjama punjabi and beautiful saris to celebrate Diwali.
Lamps are lit during Diwali to represent light chasing away the darkness and knowledge over ignorance.
Lamps are lit during Diwali to represent light chasing away the darkness and knowledge over ignorance.
The cultural celebrations at UH are a great time for students to learn about the many clubs and communities on campus. Pictured, Christian Avalos, fall 2022 Hispanic Business Student Association president.
The cultural celebrations at UH are a great time for students to learn about the many clubs and communities on campus. Pictured, Christian Avalos, fall 2022 Hispanic Business Student Association president.
Ballet Folklorico de UH and Mariachi Tradicion de Jalisco celebrate Hispanic and Latin Heritage Month at the Moody Towers Dining Commons with members of the UH community.
Ballet Folklorico de UH and Mariachi Tradicion de Jalisco celebrate Hispanic and Latin Heritage Month at the Moody Towers Dining Commons with members of the UH community.
Dining halls have expanded their offerings to include regional dishes like this fresh bowl of paella.
Dining halls have expanded their offerings to include regional dishes like this fresh bowl of paella.
Food plays a central role in many cultural celebrations, and UH Dining works with the community to get the menu right.
Food plays a central role in many cultural celebrations, and UH Dining works with the community to get the menu right.
Lunar New Year is a time of celebration and reflection on what the year will bring.
Lunar New Year is a time of celebration and reflection on what the year will bring.
By hosting a monthly cultural series featuring timely holidays, celebrations and heritage highlights, UH Dining works to represent the international connections on our campus and to fulfill the cravings for unique and authentic experiences as part of everyone’s dining journey.
Since 2019, international education week menus have been a part of the UH Dining program; last year, special menus were featured at both on-campus dining commons. Custom menus highlighted 10 of the top countries represented by UH international students.
To ensure authenticity, UH Dining collaborates with student organizations, campus partners such as the Center for Diversity and Inclusion and local organizations in the Houston area.
“We begin by reaching out to organizations and community members, as they are subject matter experts and the best resource in celebrating each event as authentically as possible,” Allen said.
Once organizational partners are secured, during the four to six weeks it takes to plan an event, ideas regarding décor, entertainment, graphics and menus are pitched for feedback on their cultural relevancy.
Combined with the help of culinary exploration, music, art, ceremony and comradery, UH Dining hopes to enlighten the UH community one taste bud at a time.
For information regarding dining at Moody Towers or Cougar Woods Dining Commons, visit UH Dining Services online or via the UH Go app.
UH students and employees stream into the Cougar Woods Dining Commons for dinner and to celebrate the Lunar New Year.
UH students and employees stream into the Cougar Woods Dining Commons for dinner and to celebrate the Lunar New Year.
Red envelopes were shared during the celebration, along with background about why the envelopes are important to the Asian community.
Red envelopes were shared during the celebration, along with background about why the envelopes are important to the Asian community.
Is it really a celebration without party games? UH students enjoyed playing games as part of the celebration.
Is it really a celebration without party games? UH students enjoyed playing games as part of the celebration.
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