UMass Amherst Ranked #1 Again for Best Campus Dining

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AMHERST, Mass. – For the fifth year in a row, the University of Massachusetts Amherst leads the pack in the Best Campus Food category of The Princeton Review, which ranks the top 20 universities and colleges in 62 different categories for 2021.

“I’ve visited the UMass campus many times over the last 10 years,” said Rob Franek, The Princeton Review’s editor-in-chief. “Each time dining on campus and each time exiting in awe of the exceptional food, innovative programs and ever-present commitment to the students’ needs above all else. We salute Ken Toong, Chefs Tony Jung and Bob Bankert and the entire UMass Auxiliary Enterprises team for their daily work and superlative results.”

Rankings of the top 20 schools in 62 categories are posted online and will be included in the company’s 2021 edition of “The Best 386 Colleges.” The rankings are based on surveys of 143,000 students at the schools in the guide. Surveys for this year’s guide were completed before the COVID-19 pandemic closed college campuses across the country.

The largest collegiate dining program in the country, UMass Dining emphasizes locally sourced foods and authentic culinary experiences. Renowned for its special dining events, UMass Dining is led by Ken Toong, executive director of Auxiliary Services.

“We’re truly humbled and grateful for this recognition. This wouldn’t have been possible without our talented team, who worked tremendously hard behind the scenes and to our students who recognize these efforts,” Toong said. “Even in the face of a global pandemic, our team continued to work hard and provide an exceptional dining experience that continues to follow health and safety guidelines.”

Toong also thanked Chancellor Kumble Subbaswamy and Vice Chancellor Andrew Mangels for their continued leadership and support.