Welcome to University Dining
The food you eat plays a huge role in your college experience, and we're here to make it a great one. At University Dining, we offer a wide variety of dining and catering options to serve our community of over 20,000 students, staff, and visitors.
We know that great food is an important part of choosing a university and that healthy, varied options are essential for a positive and productive lifestyle. That’s why we are committed to providing you with the best. We constantly monitor national best practices to ensure we're offering delicious, nutritious, and appealing choices every day.
Our Unmatched Commitment
Great food is about more than just what's on the plate. It’s an experience that nourishes the body, builds community, and respects our planet. That’s why our commitment to sustainability, fostering community, and culinary excellence is unsurpassed.
• Sustainability: We work to enhance community engagement by implementing environmental, social, and economic initiatives. You can learn about our sustainability initiatives, which include responsible sourcing and waste reduction measures.
• Community and Student Engagement: We work with the Student Government Association (SGA) to facilitate a student dining advisory committee that provides feedback and new ideas. We also love helping students connect and take a break from their studies with fun and flavorful events like Snack Attack, the Pickle Festival, and Homecoming Dinner.
• Nutrition & Wellness: Your health and safety are important to us. We have a dedicated team, including a wellness nutritionist, and two specialized Top-9 allergy free locations to assist with food allergies and dietary restrictions, offering peace of mind to students and their families.
• Staff: Culinary excellence starts with the right team! Learn more about the people behind the food by meeting our chefs and staff.
Our Chefs
Chef Aaron Dodd joined University Dining in January 2021 as a chef in North Dining. Cooking has been his primary hobby since childhood; he knew he wanted to be a chef by the age of seven. In fact, his passion for cooking was so strong that he never learned to ride a bicycle or swim! His father gifted him a chef's knife and taught him how to use and care for it properly. His mom was always in the kitchen cooking, so between helping her and grilling with dad, food was always a family activity.
In his early teens, Chef Dodd participated in a cooking competition with his dad and later entered another competition on his own at the age of 16. After completing his culinary degree and refining his skills at various establishments, including Scotty’s Brewhouse in Noblesville, Grain’s and Grill, and Elm Street Brewery, he spent several years at Pete’s Duck Inn before deciding to become a chef at Ball State University.
“I love the atmosphere of working on a college campus. The different variety of groups that come through gives different opportunities to cook new types of foods”, said Dodds. And when asked what type of advice he would give to students interested in a career as a chef, he didn’t hesitate. “It’s a lot of work and a lot of hours, and you can’t be afraid to fail. Don’t get involved in any drama, just stay focused and make sure you really love food. Keep it about the food and not about the environment. It felt like whenever I cooked something I was a part of something. Every time I put a plate out there, I was a part of someone’s first date, someone’s birthday, someone’s special day. Now it’s like a little bit of a taste of home for a freshman, but a bit of freedom for them. I’m a small part of their college career and their college future.”
Outside of the kitchen he loves college basketball, college football and enjoys baseball.
Favorite cooking show: Julie and Jacque on PBS
Favorite item on the Ball State menus: Rotisserie chicken at North Dining
Item(s) he can’t live without in a kitchen: A sharp chef’s knife, salt and pepper, and garlic powder
Type of food he enjoys the most: Cajun and seafood
His specialties: Any salmon dishes and risottos
Get Involved & Give Us Your Feedback
Your voice is a vital ingredient in our recipe for success. We are always looking for new ideas and feedback to improve your dining experience. We encourage all students to participate in our annual survey. You can also email us at dining@bsu.edu.