InsideMSU Culinary Special Edition masthead - eatatstate.msu.edu

Oct. 11, 2024

Feeding Michigan State University

A dining hall that features a combination of booths and tables with u-shaped bench seating, filled with people eating.

MSU has the largest and best on-campus dining program in the country, but don’t just take our word for it. | MSU photo

Eat at State’s pivotal role in Spartan success

MSU’s world-class culinary services program, called Eat at State, provides delicious, nutritious and affordable meals every day to tens of thousands of discerning students and employees. Read

Eat at State | Well Stated

“Our dining program is built on a foundation of excellence. I am incredibly grateful for our team’s commitment to maintaining high standards and ensuring our dining program is the best it can be.”

– Rebecca Selesky, assistant vice president for Culinary Services

Why Eat at State?

MSU Culinary Services is the best

In 2020, Eat at State was named the No. 1 college and university dining program in the nation. Read

Did you know?

With a dining plan, you save up to $4 per meal compared to the standard door rate.

Mobile ordering is now available for employees

Faculty and staff with a Block Dining Plan (meal swipes) can select their dining plan for payment. Preorder a meal through the Transact Mobile Ordering app for pickup at Holden Dining Hall, Holmes Dining Hall or Brody Square. The meal includes a Combo (one beverage, one entrée and one side). Get the mobile order app

Eat at State is committed to sustainability

MSU’s food service program strives to ensure long-term sustainability through innovative and balanced strategies that support stewardship, fiscal responsibility and partnership. Read

Fine dining is always an option

The State Room Restaurant, part of the Kellogg Hotel and Conference Center, offers dine-in or curbside pickup service for a la carte dinner. An all-you-care-to-eat lunch buffet is available Monday through Friday from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Read

Part of the lunch buffet at the State Room Restaurant

Photo courtesy of the State Room Restaurant.

Culinary Neighborhood Map

Map of MSU’s culinary neighborhoods and the executive chef overseeing each one.

Campus dining: Each neighborhood offers diverse menus with many options, including vegan, comfort food, breakfast items and more. | Map by Graphic Designer Libby Singh

Meet MSU’s award-winning executive chefs

Our chefs are among the best in the industry. They have graduated from top culinary programs, worked in the best kitchens and won national awards.

Residential executive chefs

Executive Chef Ben Segueda

Experience: 27 years (all at MSU)
Kudos: Mittermaier Outstanding Service Award
Heritage: Mexican
Favorite dish: Churrasco

Executive Chef Jordan Durkin

Experience: 20 years (9 at MSU)
Kudos: Grand Prize for the National Association of College and University Food Services 2020 Thrive presentation
Heritage: Irish, Mexican, Norwegian, Swiss
Favorite food: Grilling and BBQ

Executive Chef Dien Ly

Experience: 30 years (17 at MSU)
Kudos: American Culinary Federation Certified Executive Chef, or CEC
Heritage: Vietnamese
Favorite dish: Banh xeo

Executive Chef Kevin Cruz

Experience: 24 years (16 at MSU)
Kudos: No. 1 Food Quality Award for all North American Sheraton Hotels
Heritage: Puerto Rican
Favorite dish: Paella

Four chefs, surrounding tables, fill trays while preparing a food course for a gala event

Eat at State chefs created a unique menu for the recent Student Organic Farm Gala. | Photo courtesy of Eat at State.

Did you know?

MSU dining halls are open to the general public, allowing community members to experience our campus cuisine at an affordable price.

Meet MSU’s senior executive chefs

Bryan Latz, senior executive chef for residential

Years in food service: 20+ years (12 at MSU)
Role: Supervises all dining halls
Heritage: Czechoslovakian/German
Favorite food: Wild game, mushrooms and plants

Mike Clyne, senior executive chef for retail

Years in food service: 52 (22 at MSU)
Role: Supervises all retail locations
Heritage: English
Favorite dish: Frosted Flakes

Sparty’s Market is open 7 a.m.-9 p.m. Stop in at 1855 Place for a variety of meal options, groceries, household items and more. | Photo courtesy of Eat at State

Did you know?

All dining halls on campus are tray-less to cut down on food waste and save water and energy from cleaning.

Culinary Resources

A split photo shows a food service counter on the left and a sign for Brody Square beside a set of stairs on the right.

Frequently Asked Questions

Information to assist you with dining on campus. Read

MSUtrition

MSUtrition allows you to plan and track your meals, view nutritional content and ingredients for Eat at State menu selections, and filter menu options based on your allergies and dietary preferences. Read

MSU Culinary Services Student Food Council

Are any of your students foodies? Consider recommending they get involved in the Student Food Council. They can provide crucial feedback and insights and will help establish best dining practices for the entire MSU community. Read

Experiential dining events

Eat at State hosts interactive events throughout the year, including cooking classes, competitions, themed dinners and tailgates. Register early, as spots are limited. Read

MSU Student Organic Farm

The MSU Student Organic Farm is a certified organic year-round teaching and production farm. It offers an immersive, hands-on farming experience for undergraduate crew members, participants of the Organic Farmer Training Program and volunteers. Read

MSU Bakers

The on-campus bakery sells baked goods, including cakes, muffins, bagels and those wonderful Spartan-emblazoned cookies. These baked treats bring a little something sweet to campus functions, concessions or your own family to enjoy. Check out all the products online, including October’s Halloween-inspired trick or treats. Read

Did you know?

Nearly one million guests experience MSU Concessions every year through sports, entertainment and agricultural events.

Pop Quiz | Replies to Tuesday’s question

Bar chart showing votes cast for Tuesday’s Pop Quiz question: “What are your favorite Eat at State dining spots on campus?” The results in order of highest to lowest: Brody (23), Snyder Phillips (12), Case Hall (8), Landon Hall (8), Kellogg Center (5), Shaw Hall (5), Sparty’s Market (5), Food Court (4), Akers Hall (3), Owen Hall (1), and Sparty’s (1).

Parting Pics

View slideshow: Many Spartans, including Sparty, choose the convenience of dining in one of Eat at State’s all-you-care-to-eat locations. View current dining hours for the most up-to-date information on what is open and what services are available.

Carlos Acevedo, managing editor for internal communications

About this newsletter

Eat at State is a special edition of InsideMSU, published Tuesdays and Thursdays and features information relevant to MSU’s over 20,000 employees. For submissions or feedback, contact Carlos Acevedo, managing editor for Internal Communications.