Dec 14, 2004:
Q: So I love Commons, but I am often faced with a problem...I have very serious food allergies and find that my commons choices are incredibly limited. There are two main reasons that this is true. First of all, there is no way for me to know when there are ingredients that I am allergic to in dishes. Second of all, the spoons and stuff get shared between items ALL THE TIME! Is there any way for me to find out ingredients to things? It would be really helpful! Thanks
A: We have several students with severe allergies with whom we are presently working. The best thing for you to do is set up a meeting with me at which time we can meet your needs. There are many alternatives that Dining Services offer, many of which I am sure you are unaware of. Please let me know some times and dates that you are available to meet. Thanks.

Q: The soft chocolate chip and caramel (I think) cookies you have are always awesome! Is there any way to get the recipe so it can be enjoyed post-Bates? Thanks!
A: Those cookies are from Otis Spunkmeyer. We do not make those in house. Sorry.

Dec 13, 2004:
Q: Commons, thanks for being so adaptive to our needs and wants! But...I would really appreciate it if we could have green grapes more regularly! Thanks!
A: Grapes at this time are hard to come by and the quality is not good. Let us see what we can do. Thanks for writing.

Q: HONEY NUT CHEX would be amazing!! I think it's time for some variety, and honey nut chex would be just perfect!! Thanks!
A: We will be doing a cereal survey at the start of next semester.

Q: Could you substitute the pumpkin pie you served at the Home for the Holidays meal for the old kind? I really love the new one.
A: We will not be substituting it but rather adding it to the cycle. Glad that you liked it.

Dec 12, 2004:
Q: Can we have turkey sausage or beef sausage during morning breakfast instead of just the option of pork? Thanks.
A: It is hard to find either turkey or chicken sausage in a breakfast link, especially institutionally packed. We will keep trying.

Q: I loved the squash casserole the other night!! Can you make it again? I LOVED IT!!!
A: Thanks, it will be added to the menu.

Dec 10, 2004:
Q: I was wondering if we could have chicken in the salad bar at dinner time. Also, there has been a lack of regular chicken in the hot line at dinner. I miss it! Thanks
A: Chicken is a rotational item on the salad bar, though we could make it available more often. I will take a look at the menu and make sure that regular, plain chicken will be available more often as an entree choice. Thanks for writing.

Q: Can you tell me the brand of lo-carb wrap you are using in the Den? I really like them and I am hoping that I might be able to find them in the grocery store once I know what I am looking for. Thanks!
A: The brand is Mission.

Dec 9, 2004:
Q: Last night's dinner was so good! It was so thoughtful to put on a home for the holidays them during a stressful week. I LOVED the salmon and hope to see it on future menus.
A: Thanks for your kind comments. I will pass them on.

Q: The dishes you served for the Home for the Holidays adventure in dining were incredible! I loved the salmon and the butternut squash casserole. Could you publish those recipes on the dining website? Thanks!
A: Thanks for your kind comments. We are in the process of typing all the recipes in - we got many, many more than we could feature - and hope to have them on the website soon.

Q: Hi there, just wondering...that salmon last night was unbelievably good. Can we have it more often? And can we have quinoa a lot more often at the vegan bar, in fact, I do not know if I've ever had it before here! Thanks so much.
A: Can do. Thanks for writing.

Dec 7, 2004:
Q: Instead of the offensive {Chinese Chew}, shouldn't our dessert more appropriately be spelled {Chinese Chu}? That would seem to be a bit more sensitive
A: No problem. Thanks for writing.

Q: Could we please get bowtie pasta for the pasta bar? They are my favorite, and we never seem to have them. Thank you!
A: No problem. Thanks for writing.

Dec 3, 2004:
Q: I just want to say a few things. 1) Harvest Dinner was amazing, as always. Thanks for making my last one rememberable! 2) The Godfather night theme on 12/1 was amazing. Well done. And I haven't even seen the movie. 3) The tiramisu you had that night was OUT OF THIS WORLD. PLEASE bring it back next semester some time, because it would make thesis a lot easier. Thanks :)A: Thanks for writing.

Dec 2, 2004:
Q: A couple of things:
1) The tiramisu last night at the "Mob" Adventures in Dining dinner was great - I know melting is an issue, but could we bring it out for special occasions (maybe Gala)?
2) Love the Thursday Lunch Silo Movies, but one suggestion- - could we turn the subtitles on for when the people in the movie are whispering for those who can't read lips?
Thanks!
A: Thanks for writing.

Q: First the good...the bagel selection this year is absolutely incredible - I don't think many things could make me happier than walking into Commons and getting to eat three {everything} bagels. Great work.
The only thing that I think would make me happier would be getting to eat a huge bowl of Honey Nut Chex with those bagels. I've seen and heard SO MANY students bemoaning the lack of Honey Nut Chex in the Commons cereal selection (including several requests on the actual napkin board) that I think action is necessary on the part of Dining Services to bring Honey Nut Chex to Bates. If you don't want to {vote a cereal off the island} no problem, just add Honey Nut Chex and you'll soon find that they will rival even Common's most popular cereals in terms of popularity and consumption. Please, PLEASE consider adding this highly requested cereal to your selection...Thanks!
A: I think you are right - it is about time we do another cereal survey and voting a flavor our Commons might just get your Honey Nut Chex in. I will pan on doing this as soon as we all get back from break. Have a Happy Holiday.

Dec 1, 2004:
Q: Two thumbs up on the vodka sauce. Can we have it regularly?
A: Yes you can.