Awards and Honors
Dining Services boasts a tradition of award-winning programming, venues, and service. In the last five years, more than 50 colleges and businesses have benchmarked our program and its facilities. We have received numerous awards for our chefs, facilities, franchises, and program.
- No. 8, Best Campus Food, “Best of 384 Colleges: 2021 Edition,” The Princeton Review
- No. 2, Best Campus Food, Niche
- No. 5, Best Campus Food, “Best of 384 Colleges: 2020 Edition,” The Princeton Review
- No. 2, Best Campus Food, Niche
- Western Virginia American Advertising Awards
- 2020 Gold Addy® Award for Shiki Special Event Menu
- 2020 Gold Addy® Award for Shiki Food Photography
- 2020 Silver Addy® Award for Chili Challenge Video Series
- These Colleges In The US Have The Best Campus Food, The Travel
- No. 3, Best Campus Food, “Best of 384 Colleges: 2019 Edition,” The Princeton Review
- No. 1, Best Campus Food, Niche
- College Food Truck of the Year, Mobile Cuisine
- Winner 2019 Food Management Menu Madness Tournament, Food Management
- No. 1, Sales Volume College and University, Freshens
- No. 4, College Power Players, Food Management
- The 15 best college dining halls in America, according to students, Business Insider
- Best Sandwiches with Global Flavors - “Smoky Lamb Dip” Food Management
- No. 2, “Jerk Chicken Wings,” Tyson Foods’ College & University Wings Contest
- University Photographers’ Association of America
- 3rd place in Photo Essay - "Plant Forward"
- 3rd place in Personal Vision - "Cream and Sugar"
- Western Virginia American Advertising Awards
- 2019 Silver Addy® Award for Deet's Place Compostable Cups
- 2019 Silver Addy® Award for Plant Forward Food Photography
- Best of Show - 2018 Best Concept Award, Food Management
- College Food Truck of the Year, Mobile Cuisine
- No. 2, Best Campus Food, Niche
- No. 1, The Best College Dining Program In Each State, FoodService Director
- No. 9, Best Colleges for Food in America, The Daily Meal
- No. 2, 50 Best Colleges with the Best Food 2017-18, Best Value Schools
- No. 3, 2018 College Power Players, Food Management
- No. 3, The Ten Colleges with the Best Dining Halls, College Magazine
- No. 6, Best Campus Food, “Best of 382 Colleges: 2018 Edition,” The Princeton Review
- Top 15 Best Universities for Healthy Eaters, Healthline
- Top 25 Best College Dining Halls - The College Consensus Best Campus Dining Halls, College Concensus
- The 30 Colleges With The Best Campus Food You've Ever Seen, Delish
- Reusable To-Go Program - Honorable Mention for the 2018 Governor’s Environmental Excellence Awards
- A Report Card for Vegan Offerings, for going above & beyond to provide all students with exceptional vegan food, Peta2
- Silver Plate Award, Ted Faulkner, Colleges and Universities, IFMA
- No. 2, Best Campus Food, Niche
- No. 4, Best Campus Food, “Best of 381 Colleges: 2017 Edition,” The Princeton Review
- No. 1, Sales volume College and University, Chick-fil-A
- No . 1, Sales volume Brueggers Bagels
- No. 1, Sales volume College and University, Freshens
- 17 Colleges with the Best Food Chowhound.com
- 15 Best Universities for Healthy Eaters
- Top 20 Non-Commercial Foodservice Operators - FoodService Director
- Best Colleges in Each State Based on Dining Hall Food - MSN Lifestyle
- No. 2, The Best College Food in America - Town and Country Magazine
- No. 9, Top 30 College Dining Halls - lendedu
- The Best College Dining Halls in America - Travel and Leisure
- The Souths Most Stunning Campus Dining Rooms - Southern Living
- Western Virginia American Advertising Awards
- Gold 2017 ADDY for Grillfield Truck wrap
- Silver 2017 ADDY for Periodic Table Truck wrap
- Silver 2017 ADDY for Grillfield Logo
- B Report Card for Vegan Offerings, for going above and beyond to provide all students with exceptional vegan food, Peta2
- No. 3, Best Campus Food, “Best of 380 Colleges: 2016 Edition,” The Princeton Review
Virginia Tech Dining Services - No. 1, Best Campus Food, Niche
- NACUFS Bronze, Sustainability Oureach and Education
- B Report Card for Vegan Offerings, for going above and beyond to provide all students with exceptional vegan food, Peta2
- No. 3, Best Campus Food, “Best of 380 Colleges: 2016 Edition,” The Princeton Review
Virginia Tech Dining Services - No. 1, Fittest College in America, The Active Times
- No. 1, The 10 Best Dining Halls on College Campuses, College Magazine
- No. 2, Best College Food, "The 2015 Cappies" Cappex
- No. 1, Top 10 College Dining Halls, West End Market, Lendedu
- No. 5, Colleges with the Best Dining Halls, Business Insider
- No. 1, Best Campus Food, “Best of 379 Colleges: 2015 Edition,” The Princeton Review
Virginia Tech Dining Services - 2014 Premier REACH Illuminating Excellence Award
- No. 3, Best College Food in America, Daily Meal
- Top 15, Best College Dining Halls 2014, Business Insider
- 9 Great Meals in Unexpected Places - Conde' Nast Traveler
- Brueggers Bagels New Bakery Volume Leader
- Qdoba Gold Sales Award
- 2014 Governor's Environmental Excellence Award - Bronze Medal
- No. 1, Best Cafeteria Variety, College Prowler
- No. 1, Best Quality Food, College Prowler
- No. 7, Heathiest Dining Options, College Prowler
- No. 13, 50 Fittest Colleges in America, MSN
- 14 Best College Dining Halls in America, Thrillist
- No. 3, 25 Universities with the Healthiest and Freshest Food, Best Hospitality Degrees
- 2014 RecycleMania Pledge Drive Winner
- Gold Loyal E. Horton Award, NACUFS, "Flappers and Fall Guys," Residence Hall Dining - Theme Dinner
- Gold STARS Rating, Association for the Advancement of Sustainability in Higher Education
- VT Milk, designated as Virginia's Finest Product
- The Hobbit Meal, special event coverage, Food Management Magazine
- No. 3 Best College for Food in America - Daily Meal
- No. 1, Top Universities for Food & Dining - Ranked by Students - Cappex College Insider
- Outstanding Design Award for Specialized Facility, Lavery Hall - American School and University
- College and University Innovator of the Year, Food Management Magazine
- Best Concepts - Best New Facility, Food Management Magazine
- Grand Prize Loyal E. Horton Award, NACUFS Turner Place - Retail Sale - Multiple Concepts/Marketplace Design
- Gold Loyal E. Horton Award, NACUFS Turner Place - Retail Sale - Multiple Concepts/Marketplace Design
- Honorable Mention Loyal E. Horton Award, NACUFS Turner Place - Residential Dining - Special Event
- No. 1, Fittest College, 2013, The Active Times
- No. 1, Best Cafeteria Variety, College Prowler
- No. 1, Best Quality Food, College Prowler
- No. 1, Best School Dining, College Prowler
- No. 4, Best Campus Food, “Best of 378 Colleges: 2014 Edition,” The Princeton Review
Virginia Tech Dining Services - A+, Campus Dining, College Prowler
Virginia Tech Dining Services - Silver LEED Certification, Turner Place at Lavery Hall, U.S. Green Building Council
- Silver STARS Rating, Association for the Advancement of Sustainability in Higher Education
Virginia Tech, with contributions from Virginia Tech Dining Services - No. 3 Daily Meal, Best Colleges for Food in America 2013
- Qdoba - Highest 1st Years Sales Volume 2013
- Grand Prize Loyal E. Horton Award, National Association of College & University Food Services Catering Online Menu – Personal Touch Catering
- No. 2, Best Campus Food, “Best of 376 Colleges: 2013 Edition,” The Princeton Review
Virginia Tech Dining Services - A+, Campus Dining, College Prowler
Virginia Tech Dining Services - No. 1 Daily Meal, Best Colleges for Food in America
- No. 3, Best Campus Food, “Best 376 Colleges: 2012 Edition,” The Princeton Review
Virginia Tech Dining Services - A+, Campus Dining, College Prowler
Virginia Tech Dining Services - Gold Loyal E. Horton Award, National Association of College & University Food Services
"Alice's Adventures in Wonderland," Residence Hall Dining-Theme Dinner - Honorable Mention Loyal E. Horton Award, National Association of College & University Food Services
"Virginia Harvest," Residence Hall Dining-Theme Dinner Hospitality Award - Highest Sales Volume for College Market, Pizza Hut, Inc.
Pizza Hut at Hokie Grill & Co.
- Best Concept Award, Food Management Magazine
“Seasons of Change,” Best Special Event,
Personal Touch Catering - Golden Cup Award, Specialty Coffee Association of America
Deet’s Place - Bronze Medal, Best Student Promotion, National Association of College Marketing Administrators
D2, “Chalk Talk Live” Series - No. 3, Top 10 Best College Eats, Parents & Colleges
Virginia Tech Dining Services - No. 2, Best Campus Food, “Best 373 Colleges: 2011 Edition,” The Princeton Review
Virginia Tech Dining Services - Silver Loyal E. Horton Award, National Association of College & University Food Services
“Seasons of Change,” Catering-Special Event - Bronze Loyal E. Horton Award, National Association of College & University Food Services
Multiple Concepts/Outlets, D2, DXpress, and Deet’s Place - Second Place, Most Innovative Nutrition Program, National Association of College & University Food Services
“Nutrition from the Ground Up,” D2 - Service Award, Virginia Tech Student Government Association
Virginia Tech Dining Services
- No. 1, Best Campus Food, “Best 371 Colleges: 2010 Edition,” The Princeton Review
Virginia Tech Dining Services - Ivy Award, Restaurants and Institutions Magazine
- Golden Cup Award, Specialty Coffee Association of America
Deet”s Place - Franchisee of the Year, Au Bon Pain Corporation
Au Bon Pain - Hospitality Award-Zero Complaints, Au Bon Pain Corporation
Au Bon Pain - 4 Million Dollar Club, Au Bon Pain Corporation
Au Bon Pain - No. 1 for Highest Safety-Quality, Service, and Cleanliness, Au Bon Pain Corporation
Au Bon Pain
- No. 3, Best Campus Food, “Best 368 Colleges: 2009 Edition,” The Princeton Review
Virginia Tech Dining Services - Golden Cup Award, Specialty Coffee Association of America (SCAA)
Deet’s Place - Best Concept Award, Food Management Magazine
Medieval Feast & Faire, Best Special Event - Gold Loyal. E. Horton Award, National Association of College & University Food Services
Medieval Feast & Faire - Silver Loyal E. Horton Award, National Association of College & University Food Services
Road Trip - Bronze Loyal E. Horton Award, National Association of College & University Food Services
“Breakfast at Brennan’s”
- $3 Million Sales Club, Au Bon Pain Corporation
Au Bon Pain - Same Store Sales Increase University Trade Channel (11%), AAu Bon Pain Corporation
Au Bon Pain - No. 1, Best Campus Food “Best 366 Colleges: 2008 Edition” The Princeton Review
Virginia Tech Dining Services - Golden Cup Award, Specialty Coffee Association of America
Deet”s Place - Grand Prize Loyal E. Horton Award, National Association of College & University Food Services
“Captain Growley’s Pirate Adventure”, Residence Hall Dining -Theme Dinner - Gold Loyal E. Horton Award, National Association of College & University Food Services
“Captain Growley’s Pirate Adventure”;, Residence Hall Dining -Theme Dinner - Silver Loyal E. Horton Award, National Association of College & University Food Services
“Southern Nights”, Residence Hall Dining -Theme Dinner - Honorable Mention Loyal E. Horton Award, National Association of College & University Food Services
“World’s Fair”, Residence Hall Dining -Theme Dinner
- No. 2, Best Campus Food “The Best 361 Colleges,” The Princeton Review
Virginia Tech Dining Services - Outstanding Design Award, American School & University Magazine
D2, Cafeteria/Food-Service Category - Franchise of the Year, Au Bon Pain Corporation
Au Bon Pain
- Best Concept Award, Food Management Magazine
D2, Best Renovation - Bronze Loyal E. Horton Award, National Association of College & University Food Services
Tastes of Las Vegas, Catering - Special Event - No. 9, Best On-Campus Dining “The Best 361 Colleges,” The Princeton Review
Virginia Tech Dining Services - Grand Prize Loyal E. Horton Award, National Association of College & University Food Services
“Hollywood Night”, Catering - Special Event - Gold Loyal E. Horton Award, National Association of College & University Food Services
“Hollywood Night”, Catering - Special Event - Finalist, Minor’s Great Taste on Campus Recipe Contest, Minor’s/Nestle FoodServices
- Chef Chad Tyler Brodkin, Featured Chef/Recipe in a Campus Collection Recipe Book
- Silver Loyal E. Horton Award, National Association of College & University Food Services
D2, Residence Hall Dining - Multiple Concepts/Outlets - Honorable Mention Loyal E. Horton Award, National Association of College & University Food Services
“Luau Feast”, Residence Hall Dining - Theme Dinner - Highest Sales Volume for College Market, Au Bon Pain, Inc.
Squires Student Center Food Court - Highest Sales Volume for College Market, Pizza Hut, Inc.
Pizza Hut at Hokie Grill & Co.
- First Place, National Association of College & University Food Services
Chef Brian Mann, Mid-Atlantic Regional Conference Culinary Challenge - Silver Medal, American Culinary Federation
Chef Brian Mann - Grand Prize, ConAgra Foods/Lamb Weston
Chef Chad Tyler Brodkin, Lamb Supreme® Mashed Potato Recipe and Application Challenge - Grand Prize Loyal E. Horton Award, National Association of College & University Food Services
“Valentine’s Voyage”, Residence Hall Dining - Theme Dinner - Gold Loyal E. Horton Award, National Association of College & University Food Services
“Valentine’s Voyage”, Residence Hall Dining - Theme Dinner - Gold Loyal E. Horton Award, National Association of College & University Food Services
“Personal Touch Catering Wine Club Dinner”, Catering - Special Event - Bronze Loyal E. Horton Award, National Association of College & University Food Services
Frank’s Deli at Owens Food Court, Retail Sales - Single Stand-alone Concept/Outlet - Four-page article in Executive Housekeeping Today Magazine
Margie Lawrence, Assistant Director for Housekeeping and Furnishings - Highest Sales Volume for College Market, Au Bon Pain, Inc.
Squires Student Center Food Court - Highest Sales Volume for College Market, Pizza Hut, Inc.
Pizza Hut at Hokie Grill & Co.
- Second Place Loyal E. Horton Award, National Association of College & University Food Services
“Valentine’s Day in Manhattan”, Residence Hall Dining - Theme Dinner - Grand Prize, The Idaho Bean Commission/National Association of College & University Food Services
We Know Beans! Vegetarian Bean College at The Depot at Dietrick, Vegetarian Marketplace Competition - Highest Sales Volume for College Market, Chick-Fil-A, Inc.
Chick-Fil-A at Hokie Grill & Co. - Highest Sales Volume for College Market, Pizza Hut, Inc.
Pizza Hut at Hokie Grill & Co.
- Grand Prize Loyal E. Horton Award, National Association of College & University Food Services
“Hokie Outback Challenge”, Residence Hall Dining - Theme Dinner - Gold Loyal E. Horton Award, National Association of College & University Food Services
“Hokie Outback Challenge,” Residence Hall Dining - Theme Dinner - Silver Loyal E. Horton Award, National Association of College & University Food Services
Blue Ridge Barbecue at Hokie Grill & Co., Residence Hall Dining - Single Stand- alone Concept/Outlet - One of the Top Ten Vegetarian-Friendly Schools, PETA
The Depot At Dietrick - Highest Sales Volume for College Market, Chick-Fil-A, Inc.
Chick-Fil-A at Hokie Grill & Co. - Highest Sales Volume for College Market, Pizza Hut, Inc.
Pizza Hut at Hokie Grill & Co.
- Silver Loyal E. Horton Award, National Association of College & University Food Services
“Interviewing Over Dinner: Rare, Medium, and Well Done,” Catering - Special Event - Food Service Student Employee of the Year, National Association of College & University Food Services
Jeremy Weaver, Owens Food Court - Highest Sales Volume for College Market, Chick-Fil-A, Inc.
Chick-Fil-A at Hokie Grill & Co. - Highest Sales Volume for College Market, Pizza Hut, Inc.
Pizza Hut at Hokie Grill & Co. - One of the Top Ten Vegetarian-Friendly Schools, , PETA
The Depot At Dietrick
- Silver Loyal E. Horton Award, National Association of College & University Food Services
“Bon Voyage,” Residence Hall Dining - Theme Dinner - Innovative Achievement in Auxiliary Services Award, National Association of College Auxiliary Services
West End Market - Best Concept Award, Food Management Magazine
West End Market, Best Renovation - Golden Cup Award, Specialty Coffee Association of America
Deet’s Place - Highest Sales Volume for College Market, Chick-Fil-A, Inc.
Chick-Fil-A at Hokie Grill & Co. - Highest Sales Volume for College Market, Pizza Hut, Inc.
Pizza Hut at Hokie Grill & Co.