Thank you to all who have supported Taste @ SMSU over the past year. We are grateful to Chef Ronnie Walker and the SMSU students for making it an outstanding dining experience. After one year, we know that Taste has been a big success – but we also know that we need to change the current business model to sustain this success. We can no longer expect one person to run a high-quality restaurant while also serving in a faculty teaching role. Instead, we must determine how to run Taste as a self-sustaining restaurant, able to cover costs without relying on a teaching component. As we work through this process, we are considering several options for Taste in the coming year. We ask for your patience and understanding during this time of transition. Thank you again for your support over the past year!
Mission:
To provide a unique culinary experience to our community showcasing locally-sourced products in a student-centered, inclusive learning environment at Southwest Minnesota State University.
Value Statement:
We offer a student-driven, community-sourced, alumni-supported, one-of-a-kind dining experience.
Vision:
To be the best dining experience of its kind and to make SMSU the first-choice for culinology and hospitality management programs.
Guests at Taste will be treated to a four course meal at an all-inclusive price of $32. The menu will showcase locally sourced, seasonal ingredients with patrons having a choice of several entrees on a weekly basis.
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Hours
Taste is closed until Fall Semester. Thank you for your support!
Taste will be at Worldfest!
Worldfest is a celebration of international cultures and local diversity through education, food, arts, and cultural performances.
Welcome from the Chef Ronald Walker:
I invite everyone to experience TASTE at SMSU! We are excited to showcase the work of SMSU students, from the talented Culinology and Hospitality Management students I have the privilege of working every day to students with a passion for food and hospitality who represent a variety of academic disciplines from across campus.
My goal for Taste is to provide an environment that allows the students to show off their skills and creativity in a real-world setting. Our students take a hands-on approach to planning, preparing, and serving fresh, flavorful dishes that you cannot find anywhere else in the area. We know that our unique TASTE will keep your appetite hungering for more.
We are also working hard to make dishes that include community and alumni sourced ingredients wherever possible, to help build exciting partnerships through this project.
Again, I invite you to come on out and TASTE the excitement!
Chef Ronnie
Spring 2022 Featured Student Chefs
Eudora Bixby
Featured: 2/17 Thru 2/18
- Sophomore
- Majoring in Culinology
- Hometown of Chanhassen, Minnesota
Amberlynn Morgan
Featured: 2/24 Thru 2/25
- Senior
- Majoring in Culinology
- Hometown of Shakopee, Minnesota
Jess Krueger
Featured: 3/3 Thru 3/4
- Sophomore
- Majoring in Hospitality Management
- Hometown of Pender, Nebraska
Megan Line
Featured: 3/31 Thru 4/1
- Junior
- Majoring in Culinology & History
- Hometown of Coon Rapids, Minnesota
Robin Clark
Featured: 4/7 Thru 4/8
- Sophomore
- Majoring in Culinology
- Hometown of Blaine, Minnesota
Aiden Engstrom
Featured: 4/14 Thru 4/15
- Sophomore
- Majoring in Culinology
- Hometown of Mountain House, California
Noah Louwagie
Featured: 4/21 Thru 4/22
- Senior
- Majoring in Hospitality
- Hometown of Mountain House, California
