Good food on campus: Jamie Oliver opens at RGU

Aberdeen’s Robert Gordon University (RGU) is the first university campus to open a Jamie Oliver Deli, giving students new, tasty, nutritious options.

Robert Gordon University has a global reputation in health studies and life sciences, and puts a focus on providing healthy dining options. Now, in partnership with Aramark Northern Europe and the Jamie Oliver Restaurant Group, the university has opened the world’s first on-campus Jamie’s Deli.

Over 17,000 students and staff at RGU will be able to enjoy a range of Jamie Oliver’s food, including breakfast, lunch and snacks. The emphasis is on healthy, balanced food made with local and sustainably sourced ingredients.

Throughout the day, students will be able to enjoy a varied menu, from warming porridge with a choice of toppings to homemade pizza, fresh salads, baguettes, wraps and comforting seasonal soups.

Vicki Nairn, vice principal for corporate operations at Robert Gordon University, said: “RGU is the first university in the UK to embrace the Jamie’s Deli concept as one of its choices for catering on campus, which provide innovative, delicious and nutritious food for our campus community. We are committed to promoting positive wellbeing for staff and students at RGU and see promoting balanced and healthy nutrition as a key part of our programme for student health. I’m delighted that the university has chosen to partner with Jamie Oliver and Aramark, as part of our ongoing commitment to ensure that the RGU campus in Aberdeen continues to build on and enhance the student and staff experience.”

Jamie Oliver said: “I’m really excited to see this new site come to life. We’re bringing wholesome and delicious food to hard-working RGU students – and helping them find healthy food while juggling lecture timetables, deadlines and exams. I’m looking forward to growing with Aramark Northern Europe and continuing to give busy people a helping hand to eat well in the workplace or at uni.”

Frank Gleeson, president at Aramark Northern Europe said: “Our mission is to deliver experiences that enrich and nourish lives. Obesity is a significant problem throughout many western countries and we are determined to help young people in particular eat more healthily so that they form good eating habits that will benefit them throughout their lives. It is very significant and a tribute to the commitment of RGU in creating a healthy campus, and is the first university to secure Jamie’s Deli.

Lawrence Shirazian, managing director Aramark Food Services UK also commented "We are always looking at ways to make healthy eating on campus a simple and easy choice. We are delighted with the positive response from students and staff alike, and we look forward to serving the campus community at Robert Gordon University.”

In 2018 Aramark Northern Europe and Jamie Oliver Restaurant Group entered a 10-year partnership to bring healthier eating to workplaces and universities in the UK and Ireland. Together, they opened the first in-company Jamie Oliver restaurant at J.P. Morgan in Dublin in December.

Left to right: Lawrence Shirazian; Carolyn Hails; Hamish Goldie; Vicki Nairn and Deborah Burnside

Left to right: Lawrence Shirazian; Carolyn Hails; Hamish Goldie; Vicki Nairn and Deborah Burnside

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