To appeal to evolving palates on campus, Chartwells Higher Ed is launching a new platform centered around global cuisines.
United Table will make its debut at Northeastern University in Boston and the University of Illinois’ location in Chicago.
The initiative's concepts will offer Asian dishes such as Korean fried chicken and pulled pork banh mi, Mediterranean options like beef shawarma and shatta chicken and international breakfast choices such as Japanese fluffy pancakes.
"There's something special about sharing a meal with friends, family and even people you've never met before, which is why we're always looking to create food-forward initiatives that bring students together," Lisa McEuen, CEO of Chartwells Higher Ed, said in a statement. "We hope United [Table] gives international students a taste of home while also encouraging others to engage with new cultures, people, and foods and ultimately create more meaningful interactions with one another."
The amount of new international students enrolled at U.S. colleges and universities jumped by 7% last year, according to data from the Institute of International Education cited by Chartwells Higher Ed.