February 28, 2006:
Q: I'm just wondering why what I suspect used to be Chinese Chew has been renamed "P.C. Chew," at least on the online Commons menu.
A: It was a name change initiated by some requests on the napkin board. Thanks for writing.

Q: I recently discovered (while at home on break) that PLAIN silk soymilk that we have in the coolers does NOT mean NO SUGAR ADDED!!! I was very shocked by this news and I would really appreciate us stocking the "unsweetened" kind (in a green container).

Thanks,
-Concerned Diabetic
A: We are checking into this. When I was in the grocery store the other day
in Portland, I was not able to find this product . I have a call into
our vendor to see if they can find/carry this product.. Give me a few days to see what I can find out. Thanks for writing.

Q: I recently forgot to bring my ID card to commons.  I then tried to tell the commons worker my ID number, but she would not let me in.  I had always been under the impression that if I forgot my card, I could simply give my number instead and be admitted to commons.  Since when have students not been able to do this?

If you have done away with this practice, I urge you to return it immediately.  Why?  At Bates, the college's dining service is unique in that students receive unlimited meals throughout the course of the semester.  This theoretically eliminates the need for students' scanning in, save for proof of enrollment in the college.  However, the scanning device detects whether a card/ number is active, and thus provides proof in itself of enrollment.  I believe that knowing one's number is sufficient enough for access to commons.  We all pay for the meal plan, and we should be let in to commons regardless of our presenting a plastic card.  It's not like we're trying to rip off the college.

At the same time, I realize that commons fears a mass revolt of people conveniently forgetting their cards, which speed up the check-in process.  However, I still feel that it is appropriate and just to keep the number option open for those rare occasions when students forget their ID cards during the course of a busy day.

Thanks.
A: I understand our dilemma but can you get into your dorm without your
card? Can you check a book out of the library without your card? Can you get money from the ATM without your card? Then why should it be acceptable for you to access Commons without your card? It has never been and will never be our policy to let students enter without their card. If you have been allowed to do so in the past, consider yourself lucky.

Since not all students are on the meal plan, those living off campus could opt not to be, how can we be sure that the number the individual is giving us is actually their number? How can we be sure that the individual actually attends Bates if they do not show their card? By requiring students to present their Bates I.D. it not only allows us to electronically check their meal status, but it also allows to visually ensure that the person presenting the card is in fact who it belongs to and that they are a Bates student. In the last year alone we have confiscated 10 stolen cards.

While I understand that this might not be answer you would like, I hope at least it helps you understand why we require students to present their I.D. before entering Commons. Thanks for writing.

Q: Are you referring to your vegetable patties that are under the gardenburger brand, because i love those but am positive that is not original gardenburger. (the ones served last sunday) thanks for letting me know so i can enjoy them after i graduate.
A: We actually use several different Garden Burger items. In the Parmesan
Veggie Patti served at dinner last Sunday, we used a Garden burger
vegaterian herb crusted cutlet. Thanks for writing.

February 21, 2006:
Q:  I greatly appreciate everything the dining staff does to make it fun during finals week.  Last semester, however, I was disappointed that Junkfood Night did not include milkshakes at the marche station.  Is there anyway to have milkshakes sometime soon?  Maybe at the end of this semester?  They are oh so delicious!
A: This time around, junk food night will include milk shakes. Thanks for writing.

Q: the new addition of "blueberry topping" as labeled is great to commons. However, will the ever popular strawberry jam--from the dairy farm ever reappear? They are both great but a mix would be better. Enjoy the break.
A: These items are both from the "local farm" and we will be rotating the
flavors on a weekly basis. Thanks for writing.

Q: Would it be possible to have walnuts out at breakfast and lunch? They are great additions to oatmeal, fruit bowls, yogurt and salads - and not to mention really healthy.
A: We do not put nuts out an a regular basis because of the high number of
individuals who are allergic to them. Thanks for writing.

Q:  I was wondering if, during short term, it would be possible to have another coffee container that contained cold coffee to make iced coffee. Trying to make iced coffee with the already really hot coffee in commons is quite difficult because you need to use so much ice and the cups are so small. I'm not sure what you guys do with your day old coffee, but if it's thrown out, a great way not to waste it is put it out for iced coffee the next day or later in the afternoon. Thanks.
A: We can certainly consider this. Thanks for writing.

Q:  Hi. I hope everyone is doing well up in Lewiston.  Another Bates alum and I were reminiscing about commons the other day, and we were wondering if we could get the recipe for the yummy Chinese chew bars that you guys make. Also, what brand of veggie burgers do you serve during short term (the yellowish ones) cause those are the only veggie burgers I like. Thanks!
A: If you tell me how many you would usually be making these for , I would
be more than happy to size the recipe and send it to you. As for the
veggie burgers we use, it is the original garden Burger. Thanks for writing.

February 13, 2006:
Q: Where are the red pepper flakes?
A:  Not sure , but I will find them. Thanks for writing.

Q: When does the Baked Peach French Toast appear? I believe it was submitted during the recipie contest, and was published in a book. Thank you for letting me know if this item is in the rotation.
A:  Actually it is not peach stuffed french toast, but rather Black Forrest
French toast - stuffed with cherries- and it will be appearing very soon. Thanks for writing.

Q:  Howdy,
This comment is concerning the Den. I love most of the food at the Den, but a few changes could make it even better.
1) Add a Grilled Chicken Sandwich option to the main menu. The Den has nearly everything it needs except for this. It could be just plain grilled, or one of the specials that were there earlier this year, either BBQ or cajun style (which were both very good by the way).
2) Serve Chocolate Chip Cookies more often (and keep them fresh).
3) Put Franks Red Hot in the Den.
I guarantee an increase in revenues by 30-40 percent if these changes are implemented.
Yours Truly,
Chef Boyardee
 BatesChefBoyardee@yahoo.com
ps: Thank you for starting to update the napkin board again (there was a long dry spell for a while).
pss: Thank you for HCG.
A: Chef,
You are a genius..... I will forward your comments
As always for writing...

Q: i agree that the blueberry jam made my day. Thank you commons!
A: Glad that you liked it .... We will be rotating strawberry and blueberry. Thanks for writing.

Q: Thanks so much for the lite wheat bread!  I save 65 calories a slice :)
A: You're very welcome.

Q: We should have biscuits and gravy more often. It is definitely a hit!!!
A: Glad you liked them. Thanks for writing.

Q: The sweet potato soup you served a couple of weeks ago was amazing. I hope this can appear every week or once every two weeks. Thanks for your consideration. It is delicious.
A: Glad that you like it and most certainly you will be seeing it again. Thanks for writing.

Q: Can honey nut chex become a cereal option?
A: Only if we take another one off the rotation. Thanks for writing.

Q: Last semester, I tried a flat bread at the pizza station: It had goat cheese and tomatoes instead of the usual sauce and cheese. I thought it was great, and I was wondering if it would ever reappear...Also, I noticed that the vegetables have been pretty tasty lately. I like the spinach with balsamic butter a lot! thanks for the changes.
A:  We can certinally add that flat bread pizza to the rotation. Thanks for writing.

February 10, 2006:
Q: Just Right Fruits and Nuts has been out from the cereal bar for a while! Please can we keep them in rotation all the time?
A: When a cereal is out, it is mostly likely because we are having trouble
getting it in or our order has been shorted. Thanks for writing.

Q: How i would run giddy through commons if there were dried cranberries alongside the raisins. Everyday my life would be at peace if i were to savor the dried goodness of the cranberry.

P.S. the marinated mushrooms that were in the salad bar were exquisite.
A: Not sure if I want to see you run giddy or not, but let me see what I
can do. Thanks for writing.

Q: Sorry I am not to whom to direct the question. I am wondering whether we get any guest passes during short term? Or if we haven't used up the three for winter semester, does that get carried over to short term? Thanks!
A: No we do not give students guess passed during short term nor do they
carry over from semester to semester. Thanks for writing.

Q: The food this semester has been great. It is the best that I can remember at my 4 years hear at bates. I just saw a copy of your recipie book, that was sent home, and i saw a recipie for Baked Peach French Toast. It looks great, when does this appear so I make sure I wake up for breakfast this morning? Keep up the great work!
A: If you send me your mail box number to cschwart@bates.edu, I will send
you a cookbook containing all the winning recipes from home. Thanks for writing.

Q:  I am very upset to hear about the loss of Fat-Free California French Dressing. For those of us who try to watch out weight, their is only one other fat free being the italian, while the new "lite olive oil" contains 8 grams of fat per serving. Would it be possible to replace regular french with the fat free california french. Thank you for your consideration, It is greatly appreciated.
A: We can certainly consider this.

February 7, 2006:
Q:  I have a couple of requests and a question: Is there anyway that you can look into getting a jar of sugar-free jelly or jam? Also, a couple of years ago Commons used to have "light" whole wheat bread and it suddenly disappeared.  I've seen napkin requests for it in the past where you all said you could carry it again, but I haven't seen it yet in commons. In any case, can we get some? And for my question: What type/brand of tofu is served in Commons? Thanks!
A: We can certainly look into getting a sugar free Jam or jelly. As for
the break, it is no longer available from our purveyor and as for the
tofu we use, typically it is White Wave, but when we are unable to get
it we use Soy Boy. Thank for writing.

February 6, 2006:
Q: Thank you for bringing back Hot Commons Girl.
A: Didn't know we did. You're welcome.

Q:  Could we have lemon slices available in commons? Or, if they already are...where are they located?
A:  We do and they are located at the coffee stations. Thanks for writing.

Q: The Feb 5th potato lentil patty at the vegan bar was amazing!!! Please have them more often. Keep the good work up!
A: Glad that you enjoyed them. Thanks for writing.

Q: the organic peanut butter is AMAZING but they're not out regularly!!! Please keep them coming!!!!!
A: Can do. Thanks for writing.

Q: I just wanted to let you know that the dessert modifications lately have been very tastey. Specifically, making the bar-cut desserts more thin and the cookie bars more moist have really improved them.  In addition, the brunch selection has been more satisfying.  I really really loved the chicken with spinach and gorgonzola last week! Keep up the yummy additions!
A: Thanks for your kind words.

Q: Would you guys ever consider changing the recipe for your pasta sauces. I think that the pasta bar is great, you guys do an awesome job providing a variety of pastas and rotating everything  through. However, I'm getting bored of the same sauce week in and week out. Thanks.
A: We have changed it, and can change it again. Thanks for writing.

Q:  I second the call for fat-free french dressing- it was delicious.
A:  I'm sorry today but it is gone. The fat-free french was by far the
least popular and we can only store but so many dressings. Thanks for writing.

Q:  I love commons but I hate sheppards pie.  Do not serve it again or I will be forced to roundhouse kick the sheppard that it came from.
A: Sorry that you don;t like Sheppard's pie, but it is very popular with
many. Perhaps a good alternative on these days might be a turkey
sandwich- this is what I eat as I feel the same about SP as you do. Thanks for writing.

Q: Chuck Norris eats kittens for breakfast.  With this in mind, please start serving kittens in Commons.
A: The answer would be no. Thanks for writing.

Q: The food has been exceptionally good as of late. I have found much improvement from last year, since being abroad in the fall. Thank you for that. Was the vegetable patty tonight served with corn salsa, different from usual. I preferred the other one, it was more of a white inside, instead of a dark. Is this a permanent change?, or am i going crazy and they are the same?
A:  We continually try to improve and am glad that you have noticed. As for
the veg patti used, we have not changed that product though we could
have been shorted on our order and subbed a black bean instead. Thanks for writing.

Q: Hello Once Again,
I wrote a little while ago in regards to the pinkness of the hamburger patties served on Friday nights.  This past Friday I was delighted to see my patties were cooked all the way through!  Yea for well-done ground beef!
A: See we do notice and make changes. Thanks for writing.

Q: Thank you so much for the blueberry jam!
I also loved the roasted root vegetables in the vegan bar.  Can we have these a lot more often? And instead of regular baked potatoes, can we have the option of baked sweet potatoes? Thanks!
A: Glad you like and we can certainly give sweet potatoes a try. Thanks for writing.