Memberships
National Restaurant Association
National Association of Convenience Stores
University & College Designers Association
National Association of College and University Food Services
Connecticut Northeast Organic Farming Association (CT NOFA)
CT Dept. of Agriculture Farm to Chef Program
Heart CT Grown
Working Lands Alliance, A Project of American Farmland Trust
Bread Bakers Guild of America
Awards
2022
Best of Hartford – Runner Up – UConn Dairy Bar
NACUFS Culinary Challenge – Northeast Regional Conference
Chef Sean Hawkins – Bronze – Herb Crusted Turkey Filet w/Leek Cream Sauce
Gold Medal NACUFS: Best Vegan Recipe Contest
2021
Best of Hartford – Runner Up – UConn Dairy Bar
Sierra Club 2021 Green Campus Leader
The Chronicle: Best of 2021 Readers’ Choice Award
#2 Best Ice Cream – UConn Dairy Bar
2020
Sierra Club 2020 Green Campus Leader
The Chronicle: Best of 2020 Readers’ Choice Award
#1 Best Ice Cream – UConn Dairy Bar
Bronze Medal: NACUFS:
Best Vegan Recipe
Yankee Magazine: Best of New England
Hall of Fame 2020 – UConn Dairy Bar
2019
Silver Medal: NACUFS:
Best Local Foods Recipe
Food Management Magazine:
Top 25 College Dining Power Players
Sierra Club 2019 Green Campus Leader
CTNow Best of Hartford – Best Ice Cream Shop
1st Place, UConn Dairy Bar
American Society of Animal Science Big Scoop Competition
UConn Dairy Bar Lemon Ice Box Pie
TripAdvisor Certificate of Excellence – Hall of Fame
UConn Dairy Bar
The Chronicle: Best of 2019 Readers’ Choice Award
#1 Best Ice Cream – UConn Dairy Bar
American Cheese Society 2019
UConn Dairy Bar: Chipotle Cheese (2nd place) & Green Chile (3rd place)
2018
IFMA Silver Plate Award to Dining Services
Executive Director, C. Dennis Pierce
Menu Masters Healthful Innovations Award
Gold Medal NACUFS:
Best Vegan Recipe Contest
Delish: #3 in Top 30 Best College Dining Halls
Sierra Club 2018 Green Campus Leader
Connecticut Magazine:
Best Ice Cream in Connecticut: UConn Dairy Bar
2017
Gold Medal: NACUFS:
Best Local Foods Recipe Contest
Bronze Medal: NACUFS:
Residential Dining Unit (Putnam)
4 Bronze Medals: ACF Culinary Competition at Skidmore College
Connecticut Magazine
Best Ice Cream in Connecticut: UConn Dairy Bar
All 8 Dining Units –
3-Star Green Restaurant Certified
Certified “Bee Campus USA” Affiliate
Freshens Customer Appreciation Award
2016
GOLD: NACUFS Best Vegan Recipe Contest
Green Circle Sustainability Award by DEEP
2015
Connecticut Magazine Best of CT: Best Ice Cream Parlor to UConn Dairy Bar
#1 Best Gluten Free Service Program
1st Gluten Free College Bakery in U.S.
NACUFS: Gold: Best Local Foods Recipe Contest
NACUFS Loyal Horton Award: Silver: Retail Sales – Single Concept – One Plate, Two Plates
NACUFS Culinary Challenge – Northeast Regional Conference
Chef Kyle Davis -Silver Medal – Baby Bella and Pinoli Nut Buffalo Flank Steak with Cipollini Goat Cheese Mashed Potatoes and Vegetable Medley
2014
NACUFS: #1 for Gluten-free Dining Options
Connecticut Magazine
Best Ice Cream in Connecticut: UConn Dairy Bar
NACUFS: Silver Medal/Sustainability
Bronze Medal/Culinary Challenge
Buckley Dining: 3-Star Green Restaurant Certified
AFC Bronze Medal Chef Culinary Competition
2013
Sierra Magazine 2013
#1 “Coolest Green Schools”
LEED Gold Certification for McMahon Dining Unit
The Daily Meal: Top 60 Best Colleges for Food
Connecticut Magazine
Best Ice Cream in Connecticut: UConn Dairy Bar
Yankee Magazine
Best of New England: Editor’s Choice: UConn Dairy Bar
NACUFS: Silver Medal
Best Local Foods Recipe Contest
Sierra Magazine 2013: Top 5 “Coolest Schools”
KBE Building Corporation received first place from the Connecticut Associated Builders and Contractors, Inc., for their renovation of McMahon Dining Hall
2012
Yankee Magazine
Best Ice Cream in New England: UConn Dairy Bar
Connecticut Magazine
Best Ice Cream in Connecticut: UConn Dairy Bar
Environmental Leadership Award
The Connecticut Journalism Award
Best Business in Windham County
Sierra Magazine 2012: Top 5 “Coolest Schools”
PETA: Elite 8: Most Vegan Friendly Schools
2011
Sierra Magazine 2011: Top 20 “Coolest Schools”
2010
Sierra Magazine 2010: Top 20 “Coolest Schools”
Bronze Medal
NACUFS N.E. Culinary Competition
2009
NACUFS: Bronze Medal
Most Innovative Nutrition Contest
2008
NRA MenuMasters Award
Campbell’s Golden Ladle Award
Silver Medal
UMass 14th Annual Chef Culinary Competition]
Other NACUFS Loyal E. Horton Awards
2012
Bronze Medal: McMahon Dining Renovation
2010
Silver Medal: University Catering Special Event
2008
Gold Medal: Whitney/Local Routes