Update on the Gonzaga Cafeteria (OVPA Memo)

We would like to update the university community regarding the upcoming improvements of Gonzaga Cafeteria (first and second floor). After a thorough and competitive one-year bidding process that included the participation of administrators, faculty, staff, and students, we are pleased to announce that two new concessionaires have been selected to operate the Gonzaga Cafeteria:

• ArtemisPlus Express Inc. (with brand name Kitchen City), to operate the first floor concession.
• Varda Enterprise (with brand name Varda Group), to operate the second floor concession.

These concessionaires were selected based on a comprehensive evaluation conducted by the Higher Education Cafeteria Committee (HECC), which considered the following criteria:

• Bid Documents (25%)
• Cleanliness, condition and capacity of their Central Commissary (5%)
• Cleanliness, condition, and efficiency of food concessions that they currently operate (20%)
• Quality and taste of their food (25%)
• Company Profile and proposed plans for the Gonzaga Cafeteria (25%)

The Higher Education Cafeteria Committee, which included representatives from among the undergraduate and graduate students, administrators, faculty and staff, evaluated applications from 42 bidders, with the four highest rated bidders invited to participate in a food tasting and sales pitch presentation session. 40 to 60 students, faculty, and staff participated in and rated the food and the presentations at each of these sessions. All of these inputs were considered by the HECC when they made their final recommendations to the Higher Education Cafeteria Bids and Awards Committee (BAC).

These recommendations were unanimously endorsed by the BAC and subsequently approved by the President.

Varda will commence operations on the 2nd floor in June, 2025 (in time for the start of the Intersession), which will coincide with the closure and start of renovations for the ground floor. Both floors should be ready for use by the 1st semester of School year 2025-2026.

When all the renovation works are completed, we expect to have a newer and brighter dining facility for our enjoyment, featuring an air-conditioned cafe and extended operating hours to better serve the needs of our community. Expect to see many of your favorite food stalls (and many of your favorite cafeteria staff!) continue to operate in the new cafeteria, but this time alongside new stalls that will provide fresh dining options.

We would like to take this opportunity to sincerely thank the Ateneo Multi-Purpose Cooperative and Blue and Gold Catering Services for having operated the Gonzaga cafeterias (first and second floor) all these years. We wish them continued success in their future endeavors.

Thank you in advance to our higher education community for your patience and your continued support throughout this transition. We look forward to bringing you a better dining experience by next school year.