As said by Mr. Maws, “The Belmont Hill dining hall experience in the past as compared to other schools was falling behind.” This idea set in motion the improvements that took place over the summer. To begin, one of the most noteworthy changes is the movement of the salad bar to the middle of the dining hall. This change has been widely praised by students and teachers, as it provides a more accessible way for students and teachers to find alternative options to the hot meal.
Similarly, the transition towards a “serve yourself every day” format has been embraced by the student body. This change, which stemmed from last year’s new Upper School walkthrough format, allows students and teachers to take their own bowls of food, one of the ideas implemented by Mr. Maws encouraging mindful eating habits and reducing Belmont Hill’s food waste. As a way to foster a sense of community, the dining hall and BH administration now require two sit-down lunches per week for upper schoolers, as opposed to the previous year’s one. These sit-down lunches aspire to encourage meaningful interactions among students and faculty, fostering stronger bonds within the Belmont Hill community, while at the same time sacrificing the student’s extra help time.
While the consensus among students was overwhelmingly positive in regard to food quality, many upper school students noted their dislike of the loss of X block on Tuesday, taking away the possibility of getting extra help or attending a club at that time. Students also expressed concern about the major change in regard to snack bar. Mr. Maws has gotten rid of the old snacks like core power drinks, varsity cookies, chips, etc., and has replaced them with healthier options including PBJs, yogurt, and a wide variety of colorful fruit. The sentiment among students and Mr. Maws is clear: the changes to food quality and lunch that the Belmont Hill dining hall made significantly improved the overall lunchtime experience. However, there are still some changes and edits to be made. Overall, it is safe to say that the school has enjoyed the food that Mr. Maws and his team have brought to Belmont Hill and we can’t wait to see how it evolves throughout the school year.
