Starting in March MU is offering its students a choice of five meals a day, as well as renovated premises name and logo of its canteen at Moravské náměstí. The Accommodation and Catering Services (SKM) is responding to the economic challenges of the operation of canteens by simplified menus and more affordable meals.
All canteens offer a choice of five meals every day. Two of the options are offered for the special student price of CZK 85 including soup, plus two more options (one meaty dish and one vegetarian/vegan dish reflecting modern dietary trends). Also included on the menu is what is referred to in Czech dining as “minutka”, such as the hugely popular fried cheese.
“There will always be one soup on the menu, with respect to the alternative options. The student price is CZK 85, while employees pay CZK 103 and third parties CZK 123. Salads, fruits, desserts and beverages are offered as well. Special events will take place throughout the year within the daily offer of the five options. After the Valentine’s Day menu in February students can look forward to Easter dishes or asparagus delicacies,” SKM director Kamil Kulíšek explains.
All dishes, including the special offers, are available without prior ordering, but only while they last. In order to ensure the option of their choice is still available, SKM recommends that students use the established MobilKredit and WebKredit ordering systems.
Overall restructuring
The introduction of a new menu which includes the special menu for students for CZK 85 is among the results of the overall restructuring of operations. “This is our reaction to the economic results from the last few years. While the number of customers slightly increased in 2022 and 2023, the numbers are still far behind the pre-pandemic numbers. It is largely a result of changes in behaviours and preferences and the increased prices overall. The restructuring was a result of a two-year planning process, and its purpose was to reduce losses to an acceptable level. The demand for canteens still exists and we want to be able to offer their services to our students,” says MU bursar Marta Valešová.
New name and renovated premises
Starting in this semester the catering operations will based on one main kitchen at Vinařská and its meals will be transported to all canteens. The Academic Canteen at Moravské náměstí has been renovated and renamed to Menza⁺ Veggie Bar. “Three fully staffed kitchens have so far existed at Moravské náměstí, which was no longer feasible. Our goal was to keep the Veggie bar and the Academic Club in operation with one team, so that the clients are not affected. The second floor of the MU HQ building now offers a new canteen for 180 guests and a separate room for vegetarians and vegans,” Kamil Kulíšek says.
The Academic Restaurant in the Campus Square shopping centre will only offer meals until the end of June. “Academic Restaurant will cease operations at the end of August with the expiry of the current five-year lease. Its renewal would be extremely expensive, which is not acceptable with regard to the general operation of MU canteens. Students and employees of the Faculty of Medicine, Faculty of Science, Faculty of Sports Studies and CEITEC can still use the service of the buffet on the campus premises and the Morfo bar, with affordable prices and sufficient seating. On top of that there are opportunities in the food court of the Campus Square shopping centre,” Vice-Rector for Student Affairs and External Relations Jana Fialová noted.
The Campus Square Brno offers a broad variety of cuisines, including Mexican or Indian, Asian, European or Japanese, as well as fast-food chain restaurants (burgers, baguettes etc.). Specialised restaurants or salad bars cater to vegetarians and vegans; foodie markets regularly offer products from smaller local farmers as well.