“Taste of Tennessee” puts Vol Dining in the spotlight
An end-of-semester celebration of Tennessee food, music, and Volunteer spirit recently brought national attention to the University of Tennessee, Knoxville’s Vol Dining program. Vol Dining was featured in NACAS for its “Taste of Tennessee” event, which transformed a campus meal into an immersive experience centered on regional flavor, student engagement, and a strong sense of place.
The feature shows how Vol Dining turned a themed dining event into a memorable campus experience. Designed to celebrate the food culture of the Volunteer State while giving students a fun way to connect before the semester ended, the event reflects Vol Dining’s broader commitment to building community through creative, student-focused programming.
“Taste of Tennessee was a tremendous success, and we loved showcasing the food and flavors that make Tennessee so special. It was a fun way to bring students together and celebrate the end of the semester while sharing a little Tennessee pride.”
— Amanda Hough, Director of Vol Dining
Why it Matters
Campus dining plays an important role in student life beyond everyday meals. The NACAS feature shows how dining events can create community, celebrate local identity, and give students meaningful experiences that extend beyond the table.
For Vol Dining, the event also demonstrates how thoughtful programming can support student engagement by combining food, entertainment, wellness, and branded partnerships into a single shared experience.
The article specifically highlights:
- a Tennessee-themed dining event created to celebrate the end of the semester
- regional dishes inspired by cities and food traditions across the state
- interactive elements including a live DJ, giveaways, and themed activities
- collaboration with Tennessee-based brands and campus wellness staff
- strong student participation, with more than 2,400 attendees
About the event
“Taste of Tennessee” invited students to experience flavors from across the state through a menu inspired by regional favorites. Featured dishes included Nashville hot chicken sandwiches, Memphis-style barbecued pork ribs, Appalachian root vegetable pie from the Tri-Cities, Chattanooga catfish tacos, and a Knoxville-inspired Benton’s bacon hot honey pizza. Southern sides and comfort foods rounded out the event, with offerings such as brisket mac and cheese, crispy okra, buttermilk biscuits, roasted corn chowder, collard greens, pinto beans, and Tennessee tomato salad.
The event extended beyond the menu with live entertainment, themed activities, giveaways, and product sampling from Tennessee-based brands including Bush’s Beans, Little Debbie, and Blue Hound Brew. Vol Dining also incorporated a wellness component, with registered dietitian Virginia Ozment and student nutrition interns hosting an interactive cowboy caviar station to share nutrition information.
Read the full article here
About Vol Dining
Vol Dining is dedicated to providing an exceptional dining experience for the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, community. With a focus on quality, variety, and sustainability, our dining services offer a diverse range of delicious and nutritious options to suit every palate. From fresh, locally sourced ingredients to innovative dining concepts, Vol Dining strives to create a welcoming and satisfying environment for the entire Volunteer community. Our commitment to excellence extends beyond the plate, fostering a sense of community and enhancing the overall campus experience.
