Culinary
FOOD FORWARD
our culinary philosophy
Food is at the heart of our culture. As culinarians, we pride ourselves on crafting customized, on-trend menus with local ingredients, authentic flavors and fresh produce. Our program is diverse, ensuring that when it comes to our menus and our offerings, no two days are ever alike.
how we cook
Our customized culinary program is characterized by menus that feature the latest trends in ingredients, flavors and compositions. No matter what state or nation students call home, they will feel welcomed by our authentic menus that represent a full spectrum of global flavors. Throughout all aspects of the program, starting with procurement through plating and serving the meal, there is an emphasis on sustainability and wellness to ensure the health of the planet and our guests. Here’s how we do it:
we cook from scratch
As chefs, we believe that cooking is an artform and that the meals we serve have the potential to create memorable experiences for our guests.
That’s why our chefs cook from scratch with a fiery passion. At all our locations you’ll often find our chefs carefully chopping, cooking and crafting meals for the day completely using small-batch recipes.
we menu by season
Serving fresh produce and offering variety are two cornerstone components of our food philosophy.
That’s why we curate our menus by season, incorporating produce that is at its peak freshness. Pumpkins in the fall and fresh green beans in the spring, our chefs enjoy creating seasonal meals with local flavors.
we source responsibly
When it comes to food, we focus on making responsible, environmentally friendly decisions.
We take pride in sourcing local ingredients and supporting farmers and business owners in the communities we serve. For more information on our sourcing practices please visit our sustainability page.
we are allergen friendly
We understand that when it comes to food, every student has different needs and preferences.
From dietary restrictions to allergens to cultural preferences, we are committed to expanding inclusion to our kitchens. Learn more about our approach to nutrition.
we are additive free
Nutrition and wellness are always at the forefront of what we do. We strive to create meals that are not only delicious, but that serve a healthy function.
We are proud to serve foods that do not include added preservatives, artificial colors or flavors, and we seek out partners that share in this philosophy.
meet our chefs
It’s no secret that today’s students expect our culinarians to wear many hats – from educators to safety champions, their impact goes far beyond simply preparing food for our guests. They are teachers, purveyors, flavor gurus, party-makers and sometimes even part-time farmers.
They enjoy seeing people smile when they try something new and they strive to provide the ultimate catered experience. Nothing makes them happier than when they delight an international student with an authentic home-cooked recipe. #LoveYourChef
teaching kitchen//educational partnerships
In collaboration with The Culinary Institute of America and the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Chartwells is a proud founding member of The Teaching Kitchen Collaborative. Here, we provide students with a platform to connect with food and learn about wellness and ingredient quality in a hands-on, fun learning environment.
Join our team of culinarians and see why we were named #1 in Food Management’s Top 50 Contract Management Companies list.