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Kylemore to take over all on-campus catering and food outlets (apart from SU shops_

mloc

So, apparently, Kylemore are to take over all the on campus food outlets apart from those run by the SU, at the end of this month.

This includes Cafe Fresca (formerly O' Briens), Insomnia, 911, Arts Cafe (Hilpers) etc.

It's a little curious that this is happening so quickly and over the summer; the manager of Cafe Fresca was removed from a meeting by security when he queried whether this takeover had gone to tender. It is a serious issue for many of the staff of these outlets who are now out of a job.

It is unlikely this takeover is going to help prices or indeed food quality, if the restaurant is anything to go by. Where are our wonderful SU during all of this?

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Red Alert

I would say that the commercial office have largely failed the students and employees of UCD - we've just seen a reduction in choice taking place throughout campus. This is particularly important in a campus like ours where we haven't got hundreds of food outlets on our doorstep. The commercial office also oversee the running of the main restaurant, whose food tastes even worse than that sold from trolleys on trains.

Desmo

parker kent wrote: »

Whilst I disagree with the decision, I don't think we should say things like that here. They are after all just people doing a job and there may be perfectly valid reasons for the decision. It definitely seems it could have been handled much, much better and the previous operators seem to have got a raw deal. But the above strikes me as a pretty immature response.

If there is a good reason for it, then I am all ears. This is not my first encounter with that particular organ of UCD management. My response was very measured and toned down compared to what I should have said.

Desmo

Red Alert wrote: »

I would say that the commercial office have largely failed the students and employees of UCD - we've just seen a reduction in choice taking place throughout campus. This is particularly important in a campus like ours where we haven't got hundreds of food outlets on our doorstep. The commercial office also oversee the running of the main restaurant, whose food tastes even worse than that sold from trolleys on trains.

To be fair, I actually like the canteen food and use it a lot. It is not very glamorous and the skinny grande frapachinos are hard to find but the food is actually good.

Raphael

Desmo wrote: »

If there is a good reason for it, then I am all ears. This is not my first encounter with that particular organ of UCD management. My response was very measured and toned down compared to what I should have said.

Likely Reason: Kylemore are probably paying more money for the whole package than was being paid for them individually. Meaning more money going into the already cash-strapped college.

hidinginthebush

Desmo wrote: »

To be fair, I actually like the canteen food and use it a lot. It is not very glamorous and the skinny grande frapachinos are hard to find but the food is actually good.

Surely you're joking?

Never in my life at UCD (2002-present) have I managed to finish a meal at the restaurant. You're right in saying the food isn't as metropolitan as some of the other place on campus, but the meat is always terrible quality - fatty and grizzly, casseroles / bolognases are generally salted within an inch of their life, and I can't say it fills me with too much confidence when they can't even cook chips properly. Not to mention the astronomical prices they charge for everything (eg. chicken gougon roll is €4.45 or something :eek:).

mloc

I just can't understand how the restaurant can't even cook chips right; they've been at it for 20 years and still can't manage to cook decent chips.

Worst food on campus contender for sure.

Desmo

hidinginthebush wrote: »

Surely you're joking?

Nope :-)
Seriously.

I would not go for the spag bol and have never eaten a chicken gougon roll; they sound grim anyway. I used to just go for the carvery or for the vegetarian hot meals, a few times a week. It is very good. I am being serious. That is what I mean by it not being trendy. It is very old fashioned and the old fashioned stuff is good. The corned beef and cabbage is fantastic. The more trendy looking stuff, I always assumed was going to be awful. I used to go there a few times a week with half a dozen people from 4 countries (China, Germany, Ireland and Austria) and it is the favourite place to go. Just never eat anything that looks Italian or Chinese. They always go for the same as I do and it is usually excellent. If we want to get tacos or more modern stuff we can (well used to be able to) go to Elements.
These days I am on a diet so just eat salads in the main canteen. These are pretty old fashioned but ok. It is as good as the salads anywhere else.

mloc

Desmo wrote: »

...I used to just go for the carvery or for the vegetarian hot meals, a few times a week. It is very good. I am being serious. That is what I mean by it not being trendy. It is very old fashioned and the old fashioned stuff is good. The corned beef and cabbage is fantastic...

So what you are saying is, the food that is awful by default (corned beef and cabbage etc.) is predictably awful but things that have potential to be nice are awful too?

Desmo

mloc wrote: »

So what you are saying is, the food that is awful by default (corned beef and cabbage etc.) is predictably awful but things that have potential to be nice are awful too?

haha
Nothing is good or bad by default.
Corned beef and cabbage is a classic. It is really good food when done well.
Spaghetti Bolognese is good when done well but is usually awful.

graduate

The University currently has seventeen locations for meals and snacks on the Belfield campus. The catering services in the Science Centre and the Forum Club are closed due to construction work.

This summer, the licences to operate seven of the existing food service outlets expired and the University put these licences out to public tender. As the licences have expired, these outlets are currently closed.

These operations are located in:

- Quinn building

- Conway building

- Newman building

- Richview

- Veterinary Sciences centre

- Health Sciences building

- James Joyce Library

However, eight outlets are operating fully. These are located in:

- The main restaurant

- The SU shop, ground floor, James Joyce Library

- Café Brava, SU centre

- The Students’ Club

- Centra, Merville residences

- Café Spóirt

- Nova

- The staff common room

A s a result of the fair and transparent tender competition, Kylemore Catering, an Irish company which operates at a number of educational establishments including University College Cork, Queen’s University Belfast, and Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland, was selected to operate the seven locations. It has undertaken to provide a co-ordinated, multicultural food offering with a range of foods designed to appeal to the increasing and diverse preferences of both students and staff. In addition, it will introduce a consistent and co-ordinated approach to healthy eating for staff and students.

As part of the process, staff of previous operators have been offered continued employment by Kylemore Catering.

Kylemore Catering has guaranteed no price increases over current prices for at least one year. It has also agreed to support and sponsor the University� �s student endeavours and will actively seek to recruit students to work in their food outlets.

At present Kylemore is in the process of rolling out a substantial refurbishment and upgrading programme and the aim is to have the majority of outlets open within the next couple of weeks, in time for the start of the teaching term. We regret the disruption that may have been caused due to the unavoidable temporary closure of the outlets but feel sure that the benefits that the project will bring will be worth that inconvenience.

A further delay may occur to three outlets as a result of a legal challenge, but the University is confident and committed to dealing with these matters in the very near future.

The University will make every effort to open these outlets as soon as possible and apologises for a ny inconvenience to students, staff and visitors.

Gary Moss,

Commercial Manager

Marygoss

graduate wrote: »

The University currently has seventeen locations for meals and snacks on the Belfield campus. The catering services in the Science Centre and the Forum Club are closed due to construction work.

This summer, the licences to operate seven of the existing food service outlets expired and the University put these licences out to public tender. As the licences have expired, these outlets are currently closed.

These operations are located in:

- Quinn building

- Conway building

- Newman building

- Richview

- Veterinary Sciences centre

- Health Sciences building

- James Joyce Library

However, eight outlets are operating fully. These are located in:

- The main restaurant

- The SU shop, ground floor, James Joyce Library

- Café Brava, SU centre

- The Students’ Club

- Centra, Merville residences

- Café Spóirt

- Nova

- The staff common room

A s a result of the fair and transparent tender competition, Kylemore Catering, an Irish company which operates at a number of educational establishments including University College Cork, Queen’s University Belfast, and Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland, was selected to operate the seven locations. It has undertaken to provide a co-ordinated, multicultural food offering with a range of foods designed to appeal to the increasing and diverse preferences of both students and staff. In addition, it will introduce a consistent and co-ordinated approach to healthy eating for staff and students.

As part of the process, staff of previous operators have been offered continued employment by Kylemore Catering.

Kylemore Catering has guaranteed no price increases over current prices for at least one year. It has also agreed to support and sponsor the University� �s student endeavours and will actively seek to recruit students to work in their food outlets.

At present Kylemore is in the process of rolling out a substantial refurbishment and upgrading programme and the aim is to have the majority of outlets open within the next couple of weeks, in time for the start of the teaching term. We regret the disruption that may have been caused due to the unavoidable temporary closure of the outlets but feel sure that the benefits that the project will bring will be worth that inconvenience.

A further delay may occur to three outlets as a result of a legal challenge, but the University is confident and committed to dealing with these matters in the very near future.

The University will make every effort to open these outlets as soon as possible and apologises for a ny inconvenience to students, staff and visitors.

Gary Moss,

Commercial Manager

Just trying to finish my masters , and trying to get somewhere to eat on campus is a disgrace , I wouldn't send my worst enemy to the main restaurant . On another note there's is no sign of a refurb in 911 , hilpers or conway .. But I suppose , the commercial office couldn't give too hoots , considering ..... We all know , what went on

gerardduff

Marygoss wrote: »

^^

Welcome to boards Mary. LOL
Nice opener for 10.
The vending machines must be doing a bomb.
Watch out for overloaded 50¢ slots, they gobble
up your money and give nothing back.

Red Alert

The correct answer to this problem would appear to have been:
1) Hand the main restaurant over to Kylemore (or somebody else)
2) Renew the contracts for the licensees

I have dealt with the commercial office on a committee as a student and found that they really weren't interested in changing anything. A few of us were trying to secure a few improvements to the Earlsfort Terrace restaurant, which was like a bad 70's sit-down chipper. I doubt very much has changed in the last eight years.

The promised price fix means little in actual fact - there are hundreds of ways that Kylemore could legitimately get around it, and even if they broke it, would anyone enforce it?

Sigourney

Desmo wrote: »

To be fair, I actually like the canteen food and use it a lot. It is not very glamorous and the skinny grande frapachinos are hard to find but the food is actually good.

Num num num. Delicious UCD restaurant beef and mushroom pie! Num num num.

Marygoss

Sigourney wrote: »

Desmo wrote: »

To be fair, I actually like the canteen food and use it a lot. It is not very glamorous and the skinny grande frapachinos are hard to find but the food is actually good.

Num num num. Delicious UCD restaurant beef and mushroom pie! Num num num.

The only thing good about the main restaurant is the door out of it .. The food lay out and decor are prehistoric .. Dont kno much about Kylemore but they want to get finger out to reopen the nicer outlets .. Imagine when de first years drift back and the main restaraunt is the only place to eat .. Also if they could break the britvic monopoly it would be nice ..

Red Alert

Unfortunately obeying the Britvic monopoly is a big part of their tender I'd say. I wouldn't expect to see Coca Cola here anytime soon.

parker kent

Desmo wrote: »

If there is a good reason for it, then I am all ears. This is not my first encounter with that particular organ of UCD management. My response was very measured and toned down compared to what I should have said.

I'm not too fussed how many times you have encountered "that particular organ". Your post was ridiculous. Criticise the decision by all means, but singling out people who may just be following orders is not called for IMO.

Anyway, it should be obvious why the decision has been made. UCD has severe financial problems. Anything that improves that situation is a good thing. Kylemore did a good job in Elements and still do a good job in Smurfit. So I will at least wait and see what they actually do instead of a knee jerk reaction. Most people don't care about monopolies, they just want a decent lunch. If they deliver that and UCD gets more money, so be it.

bobbykerr

Spent the afternoon up in UCD yesterday. Met so many Insomnia customers among the staff and students who are horrified that Insomnia is no longer on Campus. Thanks for all the kind words guys. Lets see what happens next wednesday in the four courts !!

Red Alert

I would've dropped over to say hello if I knew you were in. Best of luck.

Marygoss

Would love to hear certain ( you know )people's take on it .. Never get place open for term .. Sack the bOard

Desmo

parker kent wrote: »

I'm not too fussed how many times you have encountered "that particular organ". Your post was ridiculous. Criticise the decision by all means, but singling out people who may just be following orders is not called for IMO.

Anyway, it should be obvious why the decision has been made. UCD has severe financial problems. Anything that improves that situation is a good thing. Kylemore did a good job in Elements and still do a good job in Smurfit. So I will at least wait and see what they actually do instead of a knee jerk reaction. Most people don't care about monopolies, they just want a decent lunch. If they deliver that and UCD gets more money, so be it.

You are assuming that Kylemore pay UCD and that they pay UCD more than the alternatives. That is not clear. If it is true, it is a valid point but right now none of us know. The reason the old restaurant managers are so angry is because the tendering process sounded like a mess. Using rental income as a method to select the winning tenders is just one criterion that was to be used, by the sounds of it. If so, then it is not even clear that Kylemore are paying more. Sure we all just want a decent lunch. Up until 3 weeks ago we had a choice where to go. Right now we have nothing at all. If the court cases drag on, we will not have anything at all by the time term starts. That is a mess.

If my post is so ridiculous, then who is to blame for this?

Green Mile

I read about the closure of Insomnia on campus in the Sunday Times and I was genuinely shocked by a) how messy the tender process appears to be and b) that Kylemore was picked of all places! All of us students know that UCD has financial troubles and few of us have been on the receiving end of these troubles however is this really the right way to alleviate some of these fin problems??? I would think that the legal fees that are due to arise from this decision will wipe out any profit that UCD has made from giving the tender to Kylemore.
Also, yes it is true that we can't pass judgement yet on what Kylemore are due to offer us however anyone who has been in Kylemore's places in town knows that they r overpriced to very overpriced and food and service isn't particularly good.
I was a regular @ Insomnia in UCD - love the coffee, the deals n the service n it's a shame that they won't be there this year.

Sofa King Great

bobbykerr wrote: »

Spent the afternoon up in UCD yesterday. Met so many Insomnia customers among the staff and students who are horrified that Insomnia is no longer on Campus. Thanks for all the kind words guys. Lets see what happens next wednesday in the four courts !!

Saw you in the grind and was going to go up and tell you I was sorry to see insomnia go. Although you were with someone so i though better to leave it.

Best of luck in reversing what seems to be a ridiculous deicision.

Does anyone know what has happened the staff. I understand they transfer under TUPE but are they temporarily laid off while the units are closed?

parker kent

Desmo wrote: »

You are assuming that Kylemore pay UCD and that they pay UCD more than the alternatives. That is not clear. If it is true, it is a valid point but right now none of us know. The reason the old restaurant managers are so angry is because the tendering process sounded like a mess. Using rental income as a method to select the winning tenders is just one criterion that was to be used, by the sounds of it. If so, then it is not even clear that Kylemore are paying more. Sure we all just want a decent lunch. Up until 3 weeks ago we had a choice where to go. Right now we have nothing at all. If the court cases drag on, we will not have anything at all by the time term starts. That is a mess.

If my post is so ridiculous, then who is to blame for this?

If you read my posts, I clearly say that the process was mishandled. I am pretty clearly stating that the abuse towards people in certain offices is not warranted on a public forum. Common sense and decency suggests that is an obvious idea.

Red Alert

He in essence just said he had dealt with the commercial office, and hadn't found the experience satisfactory. If the commercial office really cared about the students (and staff) of the university they wouldn't have done this deal.

humbled worker

mloc wrote: »

I have to credit the Cafe Fresca staff on good work throughout the years, particularly the two women who used to operate the till etc. Very nice and personable, great customer service.

I have worked in Cafe Fresca since it opened, we have always done our best to provide a nice place for customers to eat, customer service is the very most important thing to us as staff, as we have control over that:), we were shocked and very sad to hear the news, i personally enjoyed going into work every single day, i loved chatting with all our customers( talking is most certainly my thing ), the next few days is nail bitting stuff.... fingers crossed.............

Raphael

Red Alert wrote: »

He in essence just said he had dealt with the commercial office, and hadn't found the experience satisfactory. If the commercial office really cared about the students (and staff) of the university they wouldn't have done this deal.

It's not their job to care about the staff and students, it's their job to care about the bottom line.

Desmo

Raphael wrote: »

It's not their job to care about the staff and students, it's their job to care about the bottom line.

The main gripes were about the tender process and how it was mangled. It is not clear that there are any considerations all regarding the bottom line. If UCD stood to make lots of dosh that would indeed be laudable. There is no indication at all that this is the case however. It just looks like a screw up.

Raphael

There's absolutely an indication - the fact that it happened at all. Unless they stood to gain, why the hell would they bring in a new provider?

dyl10

parker kent wrote: »

Anyway, it should be obvious why the decision has been made. UCD has severe financial problems. Anything that improves that situation is a good thing. So I will at least wait and see what they actually do instead of a knee jerk reaction. Most people don't care about monopolies, they just want a decent lunch. If they deliver that and UCD gets more money, so be it.

Whether most people care about monopolies or not is of little importance, in the face of an alternative they should not exist, especially not in the context of a facility that arguably belongs to the State or the customers of that monopoly.

It's beyond ridiculous to claim that anything improving the University's financial situation is a good thing. That was probably an acceptable thought processes several centuries ago or in Nazi Germany but it's bewildering here.
Your point regarding UCD finances would be more palatable if such gross wastes of money wasn't occurring elsewhere in the university, exorbitant senior salaries being a major one.

Your interpretation of this cost saver seems analogous to the alcoholic father making cutbacks on his children's lifestyle while not curbing his own expenditure. Dare I say it, it's similar to what happened in government in recent years, raising income at the expense of the student while not tackling the conflicting interests of other financial wastes within the university.