School cafeterias are not known for stellar cuisine — but the University of Hawaii at Manoa has upped its game.

A writer for Forbes — a very influential publication — says UH Manoa has the best campus food in America.

The customer satisfaction rating at UH Manoa used to be 84 percent. not bad, not great.

It jumped to 94 percent after Sodexo, the global, institutional foodservice operator on campus — first took one, very important step.

Donna Ojiri, general manager for Sodexo on campus says, “I guess it’s just listening to the students and just you know, implementing a lot of the things that they had asked for.”

Students were unhappy about long lines for food — when they’re on a tight schedule between classes.

Now Tapingo, Sodexo’s mobile ordering platform, lets students order in advance, then pick up and go.

They also wanted more vegetarian and vegan options.

Ojiri says, “On the first floor, we have a concept called Stir Fresh, and that’s stir-fries to order, so you can pick your own vegetables from a cold salad bar and then you pick your protein and your sauce and then our chef will stir-fry to order.”

Fresh poke bowls are also offered.

Choices on the second floor would be unrecognizable to alumni of even a few years back.

“It has a lot of local favorites in the plate lunch section, we have a salad station that’s really really popular, and we have the grill, we also have a partnership with Aja Sushi & Bento, and they do fresh sushi and bentos up here on the second floor.”

Do the students agree that it’s the best in the U.S?

Student Ralph Arista thinks, “It’s maybe a little hyperbolized as an article. But if they feel it’s one of the best in the nation then, maybe it is.”

Sodexo runs 10 campus dining facilities that serve students with meal plans.

Other restaurants and food trucks are separately run — and add to the overall dining scene at UH Manoa.

Still, not everyone is a fan.

Student Mohammad Othman says,”It’s definitely not the best in the country, I wouldn’t say that. Maybe if they based it off of Paradise Palms, which has pretty good stuff, but not necessarily stuff for students with meal plans.”

Fellow-student Jordan Rajan has a different opinion. “For me, I like the options we have, like the chains like Pizza Hut and all that other stuff. It’s pretty good. Best in the country though? I mean, i think that’s a stretch, but I like what we got, you know.”

Ojiri says 30 percent of produce used in their operations is purchased locally. It will further promote and celebrate local agriculture at an event April 11:

Kako’o Kama’aina, a Local First Culinary Competition

Thursday, April 11, 5 p.m. – 7 p.m.

University of Hawaii Campus Center

Public welcome

Tickets:

Standard $25

With flight of beer or wine: $35

Tickets may be purchased online: Kako’o Kama’aina

