Located in the Eyring Science Center, the Pendulum Court Cafe is almost completely student-run and serves lunch Monday through Thursday.
Dietetics students in their junior year are required to help run the cafe. Students enroll in the food production management laboratory taught by Julie Duncan and Ana Mitchell. In the class, they learn the workflow of managing a food area.
Students rotate through hot and cold food production, a bakery and managerial positions. Not every dietetics student aspires to work in commercial food service but dietetics student Makenna Mayfield is still grateful for this experience.
“This is definitely very useful for no matter what field we go into,” Mayfield said.
Students rotate through a three-week menu and even have a chance to create their own recipes. Mayfield said she’s enjoyed cooking the variety of recipes on the menu.
“I wouldn't be able to make these things on my own and so it’s cool to get to try different things,” she said.
Ten students work in the cafe each day. The small group setting helps students get to know each other well.
“I just love the atmosphere. Just being able to work with all of the amazing people and just cook fun things,” dietetics student Ellie Bergess said.
Graduate student Eloise Larsen established the lab in 1962. The cafe has grown to serve about 200 students each day.
Menu, prices and nutrition info are available on the Pendulum Court Cafe website.