Weisenfluh’s most popular restaurants usually close for lunch at 2:30 p.m. but this semester, one station is going to become the Weisenfluh Test Kitchen every Wednesday from 2:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.
“The Test Kitchen is new this semester and it is a way to bring new ideas to the table and hear from the students,” Joshua Miller, Sous Chef for AVI, explained while wearing a white chef’s coat after coming from the Weisenfluh’s kitchen.
According to Miller, the students are a great source of feedback to make changes and additions to the menu in the future. In the end, after this semester they hope that a solid menu is created that incorporates the Test Kitchen items, Miller said.
“We wanted a place where students are excited to eat,” Miller said.
Every Wednesday at 2:30 p.m. there is one station that is going to remain open, either Umami, Horizons, or The Met, and whenever someone orders a meal from the station they will also receive a taste of a potential new menu item, explained Miller.
“The portions depend on what the item is, but it is usually a half entrée size,” Miller said, “Between the food that is ordered and the taste test item, you will not leave hungry.”
When it comes to feedback, there is no form that needs to be filled out, Miller explained.
“I am behind the counter the whole time, “ Miller explained. When students want to give feedback, they can just come to the counter and let the chefs know what they think of the food being tasted, Miller said.
“Verbal feedback eliminates the hassle of writing things down,” Miller said.
According to Miller, the food ranges depending on the station that stays open, for example, on October 9, The Met is going to serve a Buffalo chicken sandwich with house made Buffalo sauce. At Horizon on October 16, nachos made with chorizo are going to be sampled, and on November 6 Umami is serving fried shrimp. Lastly, The Met is also trying to introduce a dessert to the menu with grilled cheesecake that is being part of the Test Kitchen on December 11, explained Miller.
According to Miller, the goal of the Test Kitchen is to expand the menu of all the stations in Weisenfluh and make them more student-friendly.
