The John Jay College of Criminal Justice and the CUNY Graduate Center Select Aladdin Campus Dining for On-Campus Dining and Catering
Aladdin Campus Dining is excited to announce its first partnership in New York City with The City University of New York (CUNY), where through a joint contract with the John Jay College of Criminal Justice and the CUNY Graduate Center, Aladdin will provide culinary, dining and professional catering experiences.
A specialist in higher education culinary and hospitality services, Aladdin was selected for its high-quality food, trending concepts, and catering expertise that elevate dining services for students, faculty, staff, and campus visitors who desire creative menus and customized services.
“Aladdin Campus Dining was recommended by Cornell Tech’s facilities operations, a graduate campus of Cornell University, that is served by Aladdin’s sister company Constellation. We were extremely impressed with Aladdin’s culinary services and the creative resources they bring to the table. Their team will exceed our guests’ expectations from everyday nourishing food options to dedicated catering directors on both campuses,” says Mark Flower, John Jay Vice President and Chief Operating Officer.
Internal and external catering will be a welcoming offering at both John Jay and the CUNY Graduate Center. Aladdin’s onsite catering directors will help clients select and create the perfect menus for academic and corporate conferences, as well as special and charitable events. “Our catering system is designed to organize, prepare, and execute catering onsite and offsite to the local community, including private offices and public venues, outside of campus,” says Foodservice Director Stefany Pena. “We will also offer a variety of concessions, appetizers, and full-service bars that appeal to all audiences during theater and musical performances,” she says.
A new look featuring digital signage, merchandising, and sustainability efforts at the Graduate Center’s Dining Commons opened on January 25. Aladdin serves its diversified branded concepts including WeBurg, a modern throwback to the American roadside grill, serving classic burgers all prepared with fresh ground beef; UpTown Sam’s, a modern-day deli starring super-fresh ingredients with unique flavor combination; and Street Foods serving what’s popular with street food vendors like gyros, tacos, steak, and chicken fajitas; fries, cheesesteaks and Asian-inspired foods. To complement the dining hall’s offerings, Aladdin also features Grains and Greens, an expansive salad bar with grain bowls as well as fresh grab-and-go options
Café 365 will open in the Graduate Center in 2024 with a new look and fresh, on-the-go meal solutions such as local bagels, house-made wraps, and salads, which can be purchased all day. A new addition in 2024 will be the lounge, which in the evening features a full bar that serves 21-and-over guests. “It’s a great spot to relax at the end of the day, catch up with friends, and even pick up some basic groceries before heading home,” says Aladdin District Manager Chris Cleveland.
John Jay will also feature Aladdin-branded concepts including Citizen Chicken, which offers plant-based and Nashville hot chicken sandwiches, and Dabrix freshly prepared stromboli’s, calzones, pasta, and pizza by the slice.
JJ’S Café will offer fresh, on-the-go breakfast, lunch, and dinner options with future 24-7 self-check-out capabilities being explored
John Jay’s Lil J’s Café will open to the public in 2024 with a small refresh. In the fall, it will be transformed into a full-service licensed Starbucks, ranked nationally in the top three most popular restaurant chains among college students who enjoy their favorite handcrafted espressos, blended beverages, and coffee.
“Aladdin’s ideas create welcoming dining environments and venues to engage the daily diner while captivating our very selective catering clients. We look forward to providing our dining operations with transparent solutions that foster a welcoming hospitality program to be enjoyed by both the campus family and our community,” says Flower.
About Aladdin Campus Dining
Aladdin Campus Dining’s mission is to provide the best possible college dining experience for every student so that their college life experience thrives! We are fueling students, community, and culture.
For more, visit aladdincampusdining.com
About John Jay College of Criminal Justice
John Jay College of Criminal Justice is a community of motivated and intellectually committed individuals who explore justice in its many dimensions. The College’s liberal arts curriculum equips students to pursue advanced study and meaningful, rewarding careers in the public, private, and non-profit sectors. Our professional programs introduce students to foundational and newly emerging fields and prepare them for advancement within their chosen professions.
For more, visit www.jjay.cuny.edu/
About the CUNY Graduate Center
The CUNY Graduate Center is a leader in public graduate education devoted to enhancing the public good through pioneering research, serious learning, and reasoned debate. The Graduate Center offers ambitious students nearly 50 doctoral and master’s programs of the highest caliber, taught by top faculty from throughout CUNY — the nation’s largest urban public university. Through its nearly 40 centers, institutes, initiatives, and the Advanced Science Research Center, the Graduate Center influences public policy and discourse and shapes innovation. The Graduate Center’s extensive public programs make it a home for culture and conversation
For more, visit www.gc.cuny.edu/
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