Nadeem E. Siddiqui has been named manager of WUSTL dining services. Siddiqui will oversee Bon Appetit’s dining program at WUSTL and the renovations and construction of dining facilities on campus.
“Nadeem is high-energy and creative with a can-do attitude and a strong commitment to customer service,” said Steven P. Hoffner, assistant vice chancellor for operations. “Members of the University community can look forward to meeting and working with him.”
Siddiqui most recently worked as executive director of Texas A&M Dining Services at Texas A&M University in College Station, where he coordinated services for 41 campus facilities that served 33,000 meals each day.
While at Texas A&M, Siddiqui introduced kosher/halal foods on campus and the use of biofuels left over from cooking to fuel dining services delivery trucks. He also instituted a farmer’s market, which sold fresh, locally grown produce at campus locations.
“What drew me to Washington University was its exceptional reputation as an institution and incredible campus life,” Siddiqui said. “There’s such a strong sense of community here, and so much of community-building happens around the breaking of the bread. It’s a privilege to help provide a forum for the exchange of ideas between students, faculty and staff at the University.”
One of Siddiqui’s first actions in his new position was the creation of a Dining Committee, made up of faculty, staff and students, to discuss how facilities and menus can best meet the needs of the campus community. Siddiqui’s staff also is planting an herb garden outside of the Danforth University Center to provide Bon Appetit with fresh herbs.
At Ibby’s in the new Danforth University Center, Siddiqui will launch the Chef’s Table, a concept that allows students, faculty and staff to meet or celebrate over a four-course meal specially designed for the occasion.
Siddiqui previously has held leadership positions in dining services at Stanford University, Cornell University, the University of Chicago, the University of Wisconsin campuses in Madison and Platteville, Grinnell College, St. Lawrence University, Marian College and Concordia College.
Siddiqui earned a bachelor’s degree in hotel-motel-restaurant management from Morehead State University in 1986 and a bachelor of arts degree from Punjab University in Pakistan in 1982.