The Grebel Food Scene

By Farhan Saeed

You know that feeling when you eat something so good, you have to flip the package around and read the ingredients?  

“Mmm, yeah, Monosodium glutamate...okay...10% Vitamin C? Wow...” 

That’s how I felt when I first started working at Conrad Grebel University College. When I accepted this role, I knew that Grebel had some affiliations with the Mennonite Church, but to be honest, I didn’t really know much about the group, or what that even meant. Fast forward two weeks later, I’m sitting at my desk eating my fourth helping of platz, six pages deep into a Who are the Mennonites article.  

So, platz is a traditional Mennonite coffee cake made up of a thin layer of cake, a generous layer of fruit, and buttery crumbs to top it off. The one that I was stealing from the break room’s fridge was raspberry – and it was delicious. I want to try and describe the taste, but I think you’re better off taking a walk between classes down to Grebel and trying it yourself.  

There is a large focus on food and gatherings within the Mennonite community, something that became evident very quickly to me with daily coffee and lunch gatherings, a weekly community supper, and simply how good the food is. A piece from The Canadian Mennonite said, “Before every important decision we seem to think better if we have first dined together,” and I couldn’t have agreed more. As someone coming from a South Asian/Middle Eastern background, I quickly appreciated these norms as our culture exhibits similar practices. Maybe that’s partly why I grew to feel comfortable at Grebel quite early on. 

Did you know there’s a team of Michelin-star bakers behind Grebel’s kitchen? There’s not. But the cookies they casually dish out on a regular basis are so good, I started getting angry at the thought of my four-month role coming to an end. They switch up the flavours (but never the quality) regularly, and if not cookies, they’ll have their famous death muffins. Chocolate cream cheese cupcakes sometimes slathered with chocolate icing - so with each bite, you can see where the name comes from.  

Other honourable mentions include the twist and knot cinnamon rolls with caramel sauce, introduced in 1983 by Grebel kitchen staff, Janet Martin, as well as their rice krispie rolls and whoopie pies. You cannot tell me any other residence on campus has a dessert so delicious, it stuck around for 40 years.  

Aside from the dessert, Grebel has some pretty serious main courses. They have a (dangerous) all-you-can-eat style cafeteria whipping up dishes like pesto grilled cheese, BBQ ribs, jerk chicken, and chicken shawarma. At Grebel, vegans/vegetarians aren’t thrown a plate of leaves. They enjoy meals like channa masala, vegan mac and cheese, tofu stir fries, and vegan pizza. Freshly baked in-house bread often makes an appearance, really giving you that homecooked vibe. There’s nothing wrong with bagged bread, but when you need a good meal after a rough week of exams, that steaming, freshly sliced loaf is going to do it every time.  

Fresh ingredients and hearty meals are one part of how Grebel sticks to their Mennonite heritage, but my personal favourite is their emphasis on zero waste. If you enjoyed some juicy, grilled chicken on Monday for lunch, drop by on Tuesday to please your palette again – but this time inside of a creamy soup, or maybe fried rice.  

Eating at Grebel is a wholesome experience. With long time kitchen staff employed directly by the college, there’s something nostalgic and inviting about seeing the same smiling faces as you grab your food. The large glass windows let in a ton of sunlight to the dining room, and when the weather allows, you can even grab a seat on the patio or lounge by the fireplace. It’s almost like eating at home.  

So, would I say that Grebel is the best residence on campus for food? No. Because I don’t think I’m allowed to say that. But should you absolutely come on down for lunch sometime? Yeah, I think you should.  

If you’re thinking of paying Grebel a visit, please know: 

• The Grebel kitchen accepts debit or credit (sorry, no cash or Watcard).   

• Upon request, the front office sells all-you-can-eat meal tickets: breakfast $8.78 lunch $16.71, supper $18.70 + HST. 

• Anticipate today’s meal or plan ahead with the full weekly menu plan on our website.  

• Further details can be found on our website – just google, “dining at Grebel”.