The University of Montana and University Dining Services in the news. . .

University Dining Services
Press Release – Campus and Local
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:  June 14, 2005

DINING SERVICES TAKES SECOND PLACE IN TWO NATIONAL COMPETITIONS

The University of Montana Dining Services staff earned recognition for their entries in the National Association of College and University Food Service Cuisine Creators competition.

UM’s entries in the "Best National Nutrition Month Promotion" and "Best Local Food Recipe" categories earned second place.

National Nutrition Month took place in March and UM Dining Services celebrated with a series of four dinners, as well as "Family Food," a "Family Feud"-style game show in which teams of UM students answered nutritional questions and performed various activities to win.

In the "Best Local Food Recipe" category, UM’s entry was a Montana-inspired seared beef tenderloin with Big Sky Forest mushroom ragout, goat cheese quenelles and basil oil. Among other requirements, the recipe needed to contain at least one ingredient from a small local producer or farmer in order to qualify for the contest. UM’s recipe contained 18 local ingredients.

"I think we did a great job, and I’m very proud of what we created and submitted," said Mark LoParco, director of UM Dining Services. "We’ll give it another go for the gold next year."

All of the winning entries will be displayed at the NACUFS national conference July 12-16 in New Orleans.