Celebrating the new Vita Nova
Newly renovated Vita Nova restaurant provides a new learning environment
8:31 a.m., Oct. 20, 2014--As the University of Delaware celebrated Parents and Family Weekend, members of UD’s Parents Fund Council (PFC) came together on Saturday, Oct. 11, to celebrate the donors who helped renovate the University’s student-run gourmet restaurant.
The extensive remodeling of Vita Nova was funded by the Harcourt M. and Virginia W. Sylvester Foundation in honor of 2014 Department of Hotel, Restaurant and Institutional Management (HRIM) graduate Clare M. Malfitano. Malfitano’s mother Jayne is president of the foundation, and her parents, Jayne and Chris, made the gift as a result of her stellar experience in the program.
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“Clare is the reason we’re here and the reason we’re so excited,” said Jayne Malfitano. “She loved it here and loved her professors and teachers, who made this program so special for our daughter. That is where her love and passion came from.”
The Malfitanos, past members of UD’s PFC, are the first non-alumni parents to make such a commitment to UD. They said that they credit Vita Nova and HRIM faculty with providing an exceptional education.
Since the restaurant’s reopening on Sept. 2, students and faculty have enjoyed working with the new modern facilities, including a show kitchen, induction cooking countertops and pizza oven.
“Our HRIM students are already raving about this place,” said UD President Patrick T. Harker during the luncheon. “They tell us they love having so much space to work, how beautiful it is and how modern. It’s an amazing renovation that was made possible by two generous benefactors.”
Harker added that the new facilities provide students and faculty with “the flexibility and resources to be more creative in their approach to restaurant management.”
Sheryl Kline, HRIM chairperson, discussed new environmentally friendly initiatives within Vita Nova as a result of the renovations. The restaurant is committed to the creation of sustainable farm-to-table meals and has developed an extensive recycling program. The new design also features environmentally friendly surfaces like bamboo tables.
“We’re trying not only new food items but new service styles,” said Kline. The revitalized Vita Nova, she said, is “a beautiful, elegant fine dining restaurant that we are so very proud of.”
As part of the program’s requirements, all HRIM students spend time working in Vita Nova, both in the “front of the house” and in the kitchen, where they learn the culinary side of running a restaurant.
Senior HRIM students Sarah Drobnock and Joe Bruno said they have noticed a positive change in the month since Vita Nova’s reopening.
“It’s much more modern and contemporary,” said Drobnock. “It gives us the most updated technology. We can really practice and have a great experience leading into the real world.”
In accordance with Vita Nova’s new look, student uniforms have also been redesigned. Students have traded in their traditional white shirts with black bowties for more sleek-looking black shirts with thin black ties.
“Everything before was great but this puts it over the top,” said Bruno.
Nicholas Waller, HRIM instructor and dining room manager, agreed that while the strong content of the HRIM program has remained the same, Vita Nova’s decor has now moved forward.
“The environment that we’re offering is more contemporary and more in touch with the modern diner,” said Waller. “While we still teach the foundations of fine service in a traditional, classical way, that is supplemented by a more modern feel that is definitely in tune with current trends.”
Harker said that Vita Nova is a strong example of hands-on, active learning that teaches students the confidence to perform at their best.
“Ultimately this is how we make the UD education unlike anything else out there,” said Harker. “This is what your gift makes possible: Passion, excitement, creativity and new dynamic approaches to learning.”
Speaking to the Malfitanos, he added, “We are honored and inspired by your gift. It means a lot to us because it means a lot to our students.”
The Malfitanos said they were very pleased with with the final product of the renovated restaurant.
“It just shows that any gift can make a difference,” said Jayne Malfitano.
About the Parents Fund
The Parents Fund creates a community of parents actively engaged in their students’ college experience and provides the primary vehicle to philanthropically support the campus. The UD Parents Fund supports student life programs and activities not covered by tuition — experiences that transform students and prepare them for a lifetime of success.
About Vita Nova
Vita Nova is the signature student-operated restaurant, which is part of the Department of Hotel, Restaurant and Institutional Management at the University of Delaware. It features a "Best of Delaware" award winning buffet for lunch, fine dining for dinner, the Darden Bistro featuring a theater menu, and the Copeland Vinotek, the beautiful redwood-paneled wine cellar.
The lunch buffet is $14.95. The four-course fine dining dinner experience price ranges from $30 to $42, which includes choice of appetizer, choice of salad, intermezzo, entree selection, and dessert.
The Bistro Bar and the Bistro Dining Room features various wines by the glass, a three-course Theatre Menu and a small plates menu, for a light fare dining experience.
To make reservations for lunch, dinner or in the new bistro room, call 302-831-0500 or email vitanova@udel.edu. Reservations can also be made online via OpenTable.
Vita Nova has a presence on Instagram and Facebook.
Article by Sunny Rosen
Photos by Doug Baker and Lane McLaughlin