AVI Fresh presents the Food and Hospitality Program at California University of Pennsylvania

Summary

California University of Pennsylvania’s dining experience invites students and guests into a culinary journey at the Gold Rush Culinary Center. The open-layout kitchen showcases chefs crafting flavorful, authentic meals, with standout stations offering hand-tossed pizzas, fresh salads, roasted chicken, Southern BBQ, and much more. From farm-fresh ingredients to interactive stations like Habachi and Umami, the dining program combines sustainability with exceptional cuisine. With diverse venues offering everything from gourmet burgers to artisan sandwiches and in-house gelato, the center exemplifies fresh, family-focused hospitality for a vibrant campus community.

Takeaways

• 🍽️ California University of Pennsylvania offers a next-generation dining experience at the Gold Rush Culinary Center, located in the Natali Student Center.
• 👨‍🍳 Expert chefs handcraft flavorful and authentic dishes in an open kitchen environment that encourages interaction with students and guests.
• 🔥 The Trattoria features a hearth oven for handmade pizzas and customized pasta dishes made to order.
• 🥗 The Fresh Market highlights farm-fresh vegetables and salads prepared just minutes before guests arrive.
• 🍛 The Umami station offers global cuisines, including authentic Indian street food like Kima Pav, prepared with a traditional tandoor oven.
• 🥢 At the Hibachi station, guests select their own ingredients for chefs to cook fresh stir-fry meals with local produce and house-made sauces.
• 🍖 The Americana station showcases Southern barbecue and homestyle favorites, featuring smoked meats and customizable baked potatoes.
• 🥪 The New York Deli serves house-roasted meats on artisan breads, allowing guests to build their own sandwiches.
• 🍨 Desserts include house-made gelato and signature pastries like red velvet whoopie pies crafted by in-house pastry chefs.
• ☕ Beyond Gold Rush, additional campus venues include Fresh Find (wraps), Vbar (Greek gyros and kebabs), Fire (burgers and cheesesteaks), Vulcan Express (sushi), Flats (quesadillas and pizzas), and Modo Coffee Roasters (artisan coffee).
• 📱 Technology enhances convenience with kiosk and mobile ordering, providing text alerts when meals are ready.
• 🌱 The university emphasizes sustainability through partnerships with local farms to source fresh, wholesome, and locally produced ingredients.

Q & A

What makes the Gold Rush Culinary Center unique at California University of Pennsylvania?

The Gold Rush Culinary Center stands out for its modern, open-layout design where students can interact with expert chefs, watch dishes being prepared, and enjoy a variety of flavorful, authentic meals, including handmade pizzas, fresh salads, and dishes cooked in a traditional hearth oven.

How does the dining experience at Gold Rush Culinary Center involve students?

Students are encouraged to engage with chefs as they experience their meals being prepared. The open kitchen layout allows them to watch the cooking process and even interact with the chefs, adding a personal touch to the dining experience.

What types of dishes can students expect to find at the Gold Rush Culinary Center?

The center offers a wide range of dishes, including handmade pizzas, pastas, fresh salads, authentic Indian street food, roasted meats, Southern barbecue, New York deli sandwiches, housemade gelato, and more.

What is the significance of the hearth oven in the Gold Rush Culinary Center?

The hearth oven is central to the culinary experience at the center, used for baking handmade pizzas to perfection, as well as roasting meats and preparing other dishes, contributing to the authentic and rich flavors.

Can guests customize their meals at the Gold Rush Culinary Center?

Yes, guests can customize their meals at various stations. For example, they can personalize their pasta dish, select their favorite vegetables and proteins at the Habachi station, and even build their own sandwiches at the New York Deli.

What is the Umami station known for?

The Umami station is known for featuring authentic and tantalizing dishes, with a focus on Indian street food like the popular Kima Pav, and dishes cooked in a traditional cylindrical clay oven (tandoor) that provide an authentic taste.

How does the Habachi station work?

At the Habachi station, guests choose from a selection of locally grown vegetables and proteins, which are then masterfully blended with housemade sauces and cooked by the culinary team, offering a hands-on and interactive dining experience.

What other dining options are available at the Natali Student Center?

In addition to the Gold Rush Culinary Center, the Natali Student Center features Fresh Find, offering Greek gyros and grilled kebabs; Vbar, with gourmet burgers and cheese steaks; Vulcan Express, serving sushi; Flats, offering a variety of wraps, pizzas, and sandwiches; and Modo Coffee Roasters for coffee lovers.

How does California University of Pennsylvania ensure the sustainability of its culinary program?

The university works closely with local farms to source fresh, sustainable ingredients, such as beef, fruits, vegetables, and eggs, supporting the local community and ensuring the freshest, most wholesome offerings for the students and guests.

What role does technology play in the dining experience at California University of Pennsylvania?

Technology enhances the dining experience by allowing students and guests to place orders via kiosks or their phones, receiving text alerts when their selections are ready, making the process more convenient and efficient.