At the end of the meal, students filled out a form provided by dining services to determine which foods pleased their palates. Sixteen vendors visited the campus to show off their products. Items ranged from seaweed salad to chocolate tortillas, from vegan delights to Dogzilla extra-long hot dogs. Among surveys compiled thus far the early student favorites are Philly cheese steak, seaweed salad, and Ben and Jerry's ice cream. Tim Combs, a vendor at the exhibition from Sharin Food Service in Huntersville, N.C., said his company wanted to offer a wide array of culinary creations.
Nobody wants the same old thing.
Charlie Felder of Hillshire Farm also set up shop at the food show, offering his company's ever-popular polska kielbasa smoked sausage. Felder, who has taken part in similar events at several colleges in the Carolinas, says he thinks students are going for more turkey and all-beef products like the ones Mom used to make, rather than breaded foods with less flavor. Dee Phillips, associate director of dining services, said the results give menu-planners a better idea of what kinds of foods tickle the taste buds of Davidson diners. Phillips said several of the most popular foods from this year's exhibition have already been added to future menus, including chicken cordon bleu, sweet potato waffles, and the vegetable spring rolls. While some of the items will be served at the Commons, others are more appropriate for the College Union Cafe.