Friday, 15 January 2010

Meal Deals arrive at Pembroke


I spent a few hours in December visiting the wide array of coffee shops and sandwich outlets in Cambridge; I think it's important to stay abreast of current trends and new ideas. What struck me most was the number of 'Meal Deals' being offered in the various shops and cafes I visited. It seems like everyone is offering something 'free' or 'extra' to tempt customers into their outlets.
Pembroke is no different in that we offer certain products that are available elsewhere at various degrees of quality and price. The kitchen fixed charge is an obvious incentive to purchase your food in College, but nevertheless we still need to price our products competively. It was with this in mind that I decided to introduce our first 'meal deal' at Pembroke.
During Lent Term we are offering a free bag of Real Crisps with every sandwich or Gingsters Pastry sold. Real Crisps are handcooked and quite simply taste great, enough said!
This first 'meal deal' would be a bit of a waste of time if the sandwiches were boring, so we've expanded the range of sandwiches we purchase and can now offer great tortilla wraps, new sandwich fillings and pizza slices.
In addition, we have purchased a new microwave for use with out new 'hot' style sandwiches and pizza wraps. Please have a look next time your in the servery, we're sure you'll be impressed!
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2 comments:

  1. RL15 January 2010 at 15:30

    Being competitive with a commercial, profit making cafe or restaurant is not entirely useful or fair on the student population.

    Ideally (and I realise our world is not ideal), the Pembroke kitchen should be looking to compete with the cost and quality of home cooked food. Those living in college have very little alternative, besides expensive cafes etc.

    Who can honestly afford to eat out three times a day? I say this as this is how I view the expense and experience of eating in college. I cant afford it and that's why its still cheaper to pay the KFC and then buy food elsewhere.

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  2. Anonymous15 January 2010 at 16:33

    The servery cash prices need to be competitive with local business or non-Pembroke University members (those who pay the cash price) would dine elsewhere. Pembroke students enjoy a 35% discount on cash prices and 45% between 8am-10am and 5.45pm-6.00pm. We rely on our cash customers to help pay the expenses of running the servery. When discount is taken into account our prices are very reasonable, and compare favourably with other colleges.

    Supermarket prices will always be cheaper than in a restaurant/cafeteria where the wage bill and expenses are bound to be higher.

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