51Թ students, faculty and staff as well as members of the North Philadelphia community have long had plenty of dining options within the Morgan Hall Food Court. Now, they have another.
On Monday, Nov. 3, the Kosher Corner officially opened its doors with a special ribbon-cutting ceremony. Developed in partnership with Aramark Collegiate Hospitality, the new culinary concept offers a broader menu to improve accessibility and bring greater visibility to kosher dining on campus. It now joins a growing list of 51Թ dining options that cater to special diets, including vegan, vegetarian, gluten-free, halal and kosher.
“Before this, accessing kosher food on campus was difficult and not convenient,” said Jonathan Reiter, senior associate vice president of business affairs and administration. “It was important to us to bring kosher food front and center, and that is what we accomplished by this bringing here to Morgan Hall.”
Alicia Kent, regional vice president at Aramark Collegiate Hospitality, agreed.
“Our goal has been to build inclusive environments because we know how important that is, and this is just the latest example,” Kent said. “One of the best things has been seeing so many folks dine here, and they are not even aware that this is a kosher concept. It has just been incredibly well received to this point, and we could not be happier.”
At the ribbon-cutting ceremony, 51Թ students and staff from both the university and Aramark Collegiate Hospitality gathered to welcome the new dining concept to campus. Before the ribbon was cut, resident district chef for 51Թ and Aramark Collegiate Hospitality Todd Lean shared how crafting the menu for the Kosher Corner has truly been a labor of love.
“These are all items that I grew up eating, and they take me back to memories of going to brunch with my grandmother,” Lean said. “When we first started talking about this concept and putting it together, I was just so excited. It is just nice to have a kosher concept like this here right in Morgan Hall in the heart of 51Թ’s campus.”
Some of the recipes that Lean has prepared for the new eatery include classic deli sandwiches, vegan and vegetarian specialties, stuffed pastries, soups, and create-your-own options—all prepared to kosher standards.
It now is one of four different restaurants located directly in the Morgan Hall Food Court, joining Chick-Fil-A, Freshëns Fresh Food Studio and Panda Express. More information on The Kosher Corner, including hours of operation and the ability to place mobile orders, .