Best Concept Awards 2010

BEST OF SHOW. Microsoft Corporation won for overall excellence in a business dining program. Accepting the award: Mark Freeman, senior manager of Employee Services.

BEST PROMOTION. Spokane Public Schools won for its “Whole Grain Hero” program, which provides an incentive for students to choose whole grain meal items. Accepting the award: Michael Lynch, Food Sense Educator.

BEST RENOVATION. University of Oklahoma won for its Couch Restaurants, a dining hall that was transformed from an ‘airport lounge’ into a ambient community center dining and retail experience. Accepting the award: (l-r) Frank Henry, director of Board Operations, Arthur Drain, GM Couch Restaurant.

BEST CONVENIENCE RETAILING CONCEPT: Yale University won for the Uncommon Store, a re-imagined manager’s office in an entrance alcove that became an attractive convenience store that’s in-tune with its customer base. Accepting the award: Regenia Phillips, director of Residential Dining.

BEST MANAGEMENT CO. CONCEPT. Sodexo Hospitals Division won for its “Fresh Inspirations” program, which uses in-depth market research to create a retail foodservice strategy in a caregiving environment. Accepting the award: Mario DeLuca, VP Retail; Shelley Kalfas, senior VP Marketing; Husein Kitabwalla, president, Retail Brand Group.

BEST NEW FACILITY. Northeastern University won for the International Village, a cutting edge outlet with varied, sustainable and high-quality menu choices. Accepting the award: Chartwell’s Tim Cooney, resident district manager, NEU’s Maureen Timmons, director of Dining Services; Dan Ferland, chef; Deb Fantasia, director of marketing; and Nib Lopes, sr. director of operations food and beverage.

BEST SERVICE CONCEPT. Miami University won for the use of barcode technology in its self-serve checkout operations at Dividend$, a convenience dining operation. Accepting the award: (l-r) Mike Mitroi, associate director; Karen Recker, associate director; Nancy Heidtman, director of Dining & Culinary; Eric Yung, executive manager.

BEST SOCIAL MEDIA APPLICATION: Ohio University won for its use of Twitter’s interactivity for communicating directly with students. Accepting the award: Carlos Samano.

BEST SPECIAL EVENT: Virginia Tech won for the “Seasons of Change” banquet, which represented all four seasons in an attractive, professionally catered setting. Accepting the award: (l-r) Rick Johnson, director of Housing & Dining Services; Robert Coffey, senior associate director of Dining; Brian Grove, associate director of Dining Services.

BEST WELLNESS CONCEPT. Texas Children’s Hospital won for its “Beanie Club” program, which was designed to help educate young patients about the importance of nutrition to their health. Accepting the award: (l-r) Richard Tallinger, associate director of Food Services; Claudia Conkin, director of Food & Nutrition Services.