Catering Concepts provides new dining options

By Delaney Reaves, Editor-in-Chief

Catering Concepts, a new NWACC food vendor, opened during the summer to serve students, faculty and staff. The food provider is a catering company based in Lowell with the college being a second location for the restaurant service. 

Catering Concepts, located on the Bentonville campus, has established hours Monday-Thursday from 7:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. and Fridays from 8 a.m.-1 p.m. in the Becky Paneitz Student Center. Diane Boss, director of Food Services and Event Management at NWACC, said the hours may vary depending on traffic the food vendor gains.

Matt Eiler, the chef at the location, said the menu is subject to change throughout the semester and menu suggestions are welcomed. “We look forward to more feedback,” Eiler said. 

The vendor serves breakfast from 7:30 a.m. to around 10:30 a.m. Monday-Friday and then serves lunch options until close. The menu has a range of products costing a dollar to $12.  Catering Concepts also offers Coke products and a hot deli buffet bar. 

Eiler said the most popular items on the menu in August were the chicken pesto sandwich, the turkey club and the Southwest chicken wrap. 211 Café, also located in the student center, has been a great contribution for catering to the college alongside Catering Concepts.

According to the Catering Concepts website, the company was voted best of the “best caterer” in 2015 and 2016, stating “We pride ourselves on great hospitality, food, and service as we approach your special occasion not as a one-time event, but as the start of a long-term relationship.”

The vendors, Catering Concepts and 211 Café, will be able to cater for the NWACC Bentonville and Washington County campus activities. External customers who use the facilities will be provided with the vendors information for catering. 

“What I like about both of them is that they’ve already [you know} had a business out in the community,” Boss said.

211 Cafe has a spot in the Bentonville library, and NWACC is another extension for them. Catering Concepts caters out of Lowell. 

“They are ready for it,” Boss said of the vendors. “Both of them know the community,” Boss said, adding that the connection to NWACC is a way they are stepping out into the community and doing more. 

Boss said that the contract for the food vendor as well as the 211 Cafe in the student center will be reviewed annually. The review will allow the college to gather data and examine progress the food vendor is successfully making. That review process is true for both Catering Concepts and the 211 Café.

NWACC leaders feel strongly that it’s important to satisfy the students’ needs and provide them the best chance of success. “I’m excited and I know our leadership here is very excited,” Boss said. 

RechargeU, the former store that provided students with food, drinks and certain basic essentials shut down in the spring 2023 semester. The vacant spot has been replaced by vending machines including a coffee vending option, frozen food, snacks and protein shakes. It also provides more seating area with tables and will stay open throughout the day for convenience. 

“I guess it’s all about what you got to do to help the student succeed,” Boss said. “It’s not just them going to classes,” she added. While the classes and instruction are important, college leaders are also concerned about providing surroundings that will support students and meet their needs.