University of Birmingham wins national award for campus food and hospitality
University has been recognised as a leading institution in the UK for campus food and drink services, earning the top honour at the 2025 U Dine Awards
The University of Birmingham has been named ‘University of the Year 2025’ at the U Dine Awards, a national celebration of excellence and innovation in university hospitality.
The awards, held on Thursday (5 June), recognise outstanding contributions across the higher education sector.
The University’s Food Fellows team, which are responsible for the food and drink offer on campus, were shortlisted in three categories: Cafe Concept for the Fellows Coffee Shops, University Bar for the refurbishment of Bratby Bar, and the Allergy Management Award.
A lot of hard work has gone into creating an offer that serves our diverse community, and it’s wonderful to have this recognised by our peers.
Securing the overall University of the Year title was a proud moment for the University and a reflection of the dedication and creativity of its hospitality teams.
Chris Mellins, Interim Director of Food, Beverage and Retail, said: “I’m extremely proud of what our team have achieved. The last 24 months have seen a significant amount of change in how we cater for our students, staff, and visitors. A lot of hard work has gone into creating an offer that serves our diverse community, and it’s wonderful to have this recognised by our peers.”
He added: “As always, this award has been a real team effort, and epitomises the tenacity and drive of not just FBR, but all of Campus Services.”
The University’s success at the U Dine Awards reflects its ongoing commitment to delivering high-quality, inclusive, and innovative services that enhance the campus experience for all.
The last two years has seen a huge effort by Food, Beverage and Retail to cater for the changing tastes of our diverse University community.
As well as refurbishing Bratby Bar and the Fellows Coffee Shops, there's been considerable investment in updating Costa at Sports & Fitness and increasing the delivery fleet. A new Mediterranean-style restaurant Cuore on the Green Heart opened last year, selling pizza, tapas and salads and Kimiko arrived on campus selling delicious sushi, katsu curry and noodles.
The Food Fellows loyalty app was launched, new University of Birmingham merchandise created for sale in Unique and online and the Artisan Market brought to campus every first Tuesday of the month.
Notes for editors
Notes for editors
- For media enquiries please contact Tim Mayo, Press Office, University of Birmingham, tel: +44 (0)7815 607 157.
- The University of Birmingham is ranked amongst the world’s top 100 institutions. Its work brings people from across the world to Birmingham, including researchers, educators and more than 40,000 students from over 150 countries.
- England’s first civic university, the University of Birmingham is proud to be rooted in of one of the most dynamic and diverse cities in the country. A member of the Russell Group and a founding member of the Universitas 21 global network of research universities, the University of Birmingham has been changing the way the world works for more than a century.
- The University of Birmingham is committed to achieving operational net zero carbon. It is seeking to change society and the environment positively, and use its research and education to make a major global contribution to the UN Sustainable Development Goals. Find out at birmingham.ac.uk/sustainability.