Staff members from The Restaurants at Southwest, from left, front row: Magda Mello, Tina Brazell and Tim Cook; back row, John Sims, Heather Michaletz, Jose Harris, Brandon Brubaker and Tyler Whitson. Photo: Kristen Hasan
Sept. 12, 2025
Contact: Cary Littlejohn, carylittlejohn@missouri.edu
Running a top-notch dining operation that serves up delicious meals for more than 31,000 students is no easy task, but the University of Missouri’s Campus Dining Services makes it look like a piece of cake — and they have the awards to prove it.
Two dining locations were recently recognized with Loyal E. Horton Dining Awards from the National Association of College & University Food Services, an association that supports collegiate dining operations.
The Restaurants at Southwest won the Gold Award in the Residential Special Event of the Year category, which is awarded to restaurants that place a strong focus on student experience. That experience is epitomized by high-quality menu offerings, whether it’s local, all-natural, free-range Missouri Legacy Beef at the Legacy Grill; customizable burritos, nachos and other TexMex offerings from Casa Truman; or the cozy carbohydrates of the Olive & Oil pasta bar.
Savor Kitchen won the Silver Award in the Retail Sales: Single Concept of the Year category, which is awarded to outstanding single-concept retail facilities. In addition to its calm, relaxing atmosphere, Savor Kitchen is a Certified-Free-From location, meaning those with the top nine food allergens — wheat/gluten, dairy, eggs, peanuts, tree nuts (with the exception of coconuts), fish, shellfish, sesame and soy — can dine with peace of mind as every item on the menu is made without these ingredients.
Additionally, Savor Kitchen was featured an Allergic Living magazine Aug. 6, 2025, article, “4 Colleges That Cook Fresh, Allergy-Friendly Food ‘From the Heart.’” Mizzou was featured along with Sacramento State, the University of North Texas and Tufts University.
“I’m incredibly proud of our Campus Dining team,” Derrick Cripps, director of Campus Dining Services, said. “Earning a Gold Award and a Silver Award in the NACUFS Loyal E. Horton Dining Awards is a testament to our team’s creativity, dedication and care — especially at The Restaurants at Southwest and Savor Kitchen. And having Savor Kitchen featured in Allergic Living magazine as a leader in allergy-friendly dining underscores our commitment to inclusive, high-quality food for all. Congratulations to the entire team on this well-deserved recognition.”
The award was named for the founder and past president of the National Association of College & University Food Services, Loyal E. Horton, and celebrates the exemplary menus, presentations, special event planning and new dining concepts.
