Unsatisfied sushi cravings are now a thing of the past as gourmet sushi is now offered in the Quad Café right here on campus.
This is the first year the delicacy will be available here at Ferris and thanks goes to the director of dining services, Lori Helmer. Helmer became familiar with the company, Sushi with Gusto at the National Association of College and University Food Services (NACUFS) convention.
“We are always trying to be ahead of the trends in the food industry,” Helmer said. “Sushi is a very popular item in the food service world.”
The idea of sushi being made available by campus dining also stemmed from the fact that there was no other place serving sushi in Big Rapids.
“We have been hearing a lot of students driving to Grand Rapids to buy good sushi before it came to campus,” Helmer said. “We are hearing a lot of excitement.”
The cuisine was introduced on Wednesday, Aug. 31, in the Quad Café. Students can eat the sushi there, or take it home. There are also party trays available for purchase that will be sold at The Market located next to the Rock Café. Mike Langan, the assistant director of dining services, believes that the sushi not only tastes good but is of premium quality.
“The sushi is such good quality sushi. I’m pretty tight with my wallet, but I’m more than happy to dip into it,” Langan said. “Sushi is so much more than raw fish. It is about the marriage of the rice and the sauces.”
Ferris pharmacy freshman Deidre Heston also enjoyed the dish.
“I eat sushi often and its pretty good for being pre-packaged,” Heston said. “I would eat it again.”
There are many different options available including raw food items, which are clearly labeled and even cooked dishes. There is also a certified sushi chef on site and menus available to take home.
The sushi is now available at the Quad Café. The hours of operation for Sushi With Gusto are 11 a.m. to 7 p.m., Monday through Friday.