As Florida State University students begin packing their bags for the winter break, Seminole Dining is planning a state-of-the-art transformation for the university’s historic dining hall, the Suwannee Room.
The renovation is scheduled to be completed by July 2018. When the Suwannee Room reopens, it will be one of the best all you care to eat dining destinations in the Southeast.
The renovation will overhaul the entire facility and create a culinary experience, which will allow students to watch chefs prepare their meals in front of them using Fresh from Florida ingredients.
“I know this renovation will impress students once it is complete,” said Thomas Gilbert, executive chef of the Suwannee Room. “My team and I are excited to provide the full FSUnique experience at Suwannee, and being able to cook in front of everyone will create an open kitchen atmosphere that we are excited to embrace.”
Located in the William Johnston Building, the Suwannee Room’s historic architectural elements will remain the same, including its soaring vaulted ceilings with intricately carved Gothic arches and original lighting fixtures.
New food stations are being planned by FSU’s dining services partner, Sodexo USA, and its team of executive chefs. They will include an expansion of the “My Zone” station, which will be completely free of peanuts, tree nuts and gluten — allowing for students with dietary concerns to eat worry-free.
“Seminole Dining and Florida State University are dedicated to creating an exceptional FSUnique dining experience for all students and faculty,” said Jay Degioia, district manager for Seminole Dining at FSU. “This renovation of Suwannee Room will undoubtedly add to that. My team and I are ready to take our dining program to the next level, and I know it will be will be a great success.”
While the Suwannee Room undergoes renovation, the new “Suwannee at the Union” will open Jan. 4 at the Oglesby Union and will be available to all students, faculty and staff, with or without a meal plan. Suwannee at the Union will provide students with their favorite food stations such as the grill, pizza and pasta, salad bar, deli, comfort food and the bakery. Vegan and vegetarian options will also be available.
In addition, students with a meal plan can use innovative kiosk ordering at The Community Table restaurant at the union. The Seminole Café all you care to eat dining facility on the west side of the main campus will also continue to serve daily meals.
Students with a VIP meal plan also can dine at a new on-campus Steak ‘n Shake food truck, as well as the Street Eats food truck. Food trucks will be situated by Landis Green and travel throughout the day.
The Suwannee Room was originally constructed in 1913 and served students as a dining hall until the late 1960s, when it was converted into office space. It was completely renovated and reopened as a dining facility in 2006.
For more information, visit seminoledining.com.