April 14, 2017
University Housing plans special theme meals
CARBONDALE, Ill. -- Southern Soul Food is coming to Southern Illinois University Carbondale as University Housing sponsors two theme meals featuring food from the deep south.
The special campus meals are set for 10:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. on April 19 at Lentz Hall, 1275 Point Drive, and 4-7:30 p.m. on April 26 at Trueblood Hall, 1175 S. Washington St.
The menu for the Lentz lunch includes buttermilk fried chicken, blackened catfish, red beans and rice, grilled barbecue pork steak, chicken fried steak, collard greens, mashed potatoes and creole gravy, roasted corn on the cob, macaroni and cheese, honey cornbread, creamy Cajun sausage corn soup, 7UP cake and sweet potato pie. The offerings for the Trueblood dinner include southern fried chicken, Creole catfish, red beans and rice, shrimp po’ boys, mixed greens, mashed potatoes and pepper gravy, roasted corn on the cob, baked macaroni and cheese, buttermilk biscuits, andouille chicken gumbo, peach cobbler and sweet potato pie.
The meals are included in SIU dining plans and community members are welcome if paying by cash or credit card at the door. Tickets for anyone who doesn’t have an SIU meal plan are $10.24, including tax, for ages 13 and older or $5.98, including tax, for ages 4-12. Children ages three and younger dine free.
While SIU periodically offers special theme meals, the impetus for offering Southern Soul Food was a request from a student living on campus. University Housing officials said the Culinary and Nutrition Services staff strives to help students with special diets and to serve diverse meals with the freshest foods possible, and welcomes the opportunity to work with students on events such as the theme meals.
“We enjoy it when students take an active interest in what we’re serving,” Peggy Connors, associate director of Culinary and Nutrition Services and registered dietitian, said. “We’re excited to offer the Southern Soul Food theme meals by special request and invite other students to share their ideas at housing.siu.edu/feedback.”
She said the two chefs on staff have been testing recipes and worked closely with students regarding menu ideas.
“Our homemade sweet potato pies are sure to be a big hit,” Connors added.
For more information, contact Crystal Bouhl at 618/453-1077 or cbouhl@siu.edu.