For several decades, the Theoretical Building housed a restaurant catering for Clinical Center staff and students. Recently, it has become in need of a major overhaul and remodeling. The former canteen in the basement, modernized to meet contemporary standards, is now named MAED Bistro.
Work on the cozy and inviting dining facility was completed by UD Campus Kft. with a total net investment of HUF 120 million. Almost 80 million forints of this amount was spent on renovating the restaurant itself, while up to 40 million forints went towards furnishings and modern kitchen equipment.
Customers were already able to take possession of the new university catering unit during a test period at the end of August. Thus, at the grand opening on Tuesday, Managing Director of UD Campus Kft. Péter Miklósvölgyi could safely state that the restaurant had been even more popular than expected in the first weeks, while the feedback received exceeded all expectations.
- The diners were happy and eager to ‘take possession’ of this new place, so much so that they waited to be seated in long, winding lines. Thanks to the fantastic efforts of my colleagues, I am happy to say that we already achieved last week what we had planned for during proper operation. We prepared fondly to make this place beautiful and customer-friendly, in order to serve everyone in a professional manner- said the manager.
In his welcoming address, Professor Zoltán Bács, Rector of the University of Debrecen, noted that a long-awaited development project had been successfully completed in the Theoretical Building.
- This story also serves as proof of how a company owned by the university, as long as it manages its finances properly, does have the capacity to carry out such facility upgrades and investments aimed at improving welfare and well-being. This development was very much needed, as the environment surrounding us and the sense of well-being in the university community are truly important. I am confident that, in a few months’ time, the restaurant located on the Auguszta campus will also be transformed in a similar fashion. That project requires comprehensive development, ranging from electrical system upgrades to a series of other improvements, which could be implemented through an even broader collaborative effort- said the university leader.
Professor Zoltán Szabó, President of the Clinical Center at the University of Debrecen, underlined that the newly renovated restaurant would serve to satisfy primarily the staff members of the Clinical Center, providing them with a dining option in a modern and appropriate environment. He also laid emphasis on how the concept of reform cuisine, with a focus on healthier and balanced nutrition, aligns with the clinical philosophy based on the assumption that healthy eating is a vital component of both health preservation and recovery from diseases.
Professor László Mátyus, Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the foundation maintaining the University of Debrecen, mentioned the fifty-year history of the restaurant, noting that its venue had served not only as a place to eat and drink but also as an important meeting point and community space to socialize in, as well as a traditional choice for throwing parties and holding celebrations.
Deputy Chancellor of Healthcare Zoltán Ónodi-Szűcs expressed his satisfaction concerning the fact that this development could be implemented within the area of the Clinical Center of the University of Debrecen, thereby strengthening community experiences in an online world with less and less personal contact between individuals.
One of the unique features of MAED Bistro is that it will treat its customers to the popular flavor profile already known from UD Forest Center, which will act as a novelty in the area of the Clinical Center and on Egyetem téri campus.
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