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Photo Credit: Wasio Faces
Aramark Collegiate Hospitality has been named the National Association of College Auxiliary Services' (NACAS) Outstanding Business Partner of the Year, recognizing the organization's longstanding commitment to supporting the higher education auxiliary services profession through engagement, leadership, and partnership.
“This recognition reflects Aramark Collegiate Hospitality's longstanding commitment to supporting higher education and the NACAS community," said Barbara Flanagan, President and CEO of Aramark Collegiate Hospitality. "We are proud of the partnerships we have built with colleges and universities and honored to be recognized for our contributions to advancing the auxiliary services profession."
Aramark Collegiate Hospitality has maintained a longstanding partnership with NACAS, supporting the association's conferences, leadership programs, mentorship initiatives, and member engagement efforts.
The NACAS Outstanding Business Partner of the Year Award recognizes organizations that demonstrate exceptional partnership, service, and support of the association and its members.
Widener Dining Services Earns NACAS Award for Inclusive Excellence
Aramark Collegiate Hospitality’s Widener Dining Services at Widener University in Chester, PA, also earned the prestigious Edwin R. Golden Award for Inclusive Excellence from NACAS. The campus dining program was recognized for Widener Dining 101, a Kitchen 101 concept developed collaboratively by Widener University’s International Student Services (ISS) team and Aramark Collegiate Hospitality, with a focus on international cuisine. The award recognizes the program’s success in creating meaningful opportunities for cultural exchange, inclusion, and belonging through food.
"At Widener Dining Services, we strive to create a dining experience that supports the university's Sense of Belonging," said Aramark Collegiate Hospitality Executive Chef Matthew Clarke. "This recognition reflects the strong partnership between Widener University and Aramark Collegiate Hospitality and our shared commitment to creating opportunities for students to connect, learn from one another, and feel valued within the campus community."
Since its launch, the International Teaching Kitchen has provided international students with a platform to serve as cultural ambassadors, sharing family traditions, regional cuisines, and personal experiences through interactive cooking demonstrations. Working alongside Widener Dining Services Executive Chef Matthew Clarke and the culinary team, students help bring authentic recipes to life while fostering dialogue and understanding among participants from diverse backgrounds.
The program invites students to share recipes, traditions, and stories from their home countries while leading hands-on cooking experiences for their peers. Through these shared culinary experiences, the International Teaching Kitchen helps build cross-cultural connections, promotes intercultural understanding, and reinforces a campus environment where students feel seen, valued, and welcomed.
“The program’s goal extends beyond cooking,” continued Chef Matt. “The International Teaching Kitchen fosters practical skill-building, giving participants confidence in the kitchen while exposing them to flavors and ingredients they may never have encountered before.”
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