Iowa Western Community College

Overview

Iowa Western Community College had outgrown its existing kitchen and dining facilities and sought to expand its culinary training program. The new building includes updated food service areas, a Student Resource Center, a bookstore, and student lounge spaces, all designed to enhance the campus experience.

The kitchen design includes two expanded cooklines, larger prep areas, and garde-manger stations to accommodate increased production. It also features two dedicated teaching classrooms, each equipped with preparation, baking, and cookline areas to support the school’s culinary program. Additionally, a well-placed warewash area with a tray accumulator was strategically located near the student dining areas at one end of the kitchen for optimal flow and convenience.

The new servery offers 11 food stations, including both full and self-service options for students and staff. Designed in a scramble-style format, the servery allows patrons to move directly to their station of choice, bypassing traditional lines for a more efficient dining experience.

On the upper level of the new building, a Cyber Café and Convenience Store were also added. The Cyber Café offers coffee, smoothies, and sandwiches, and it operates later than the main servery, providing students with additional dining options throughout the day.