As seen on CBS: Chef Robert Irvine Looks to Columbia Dining to Reshape U.S. Army Food Program

Chef Irvine has used Columbia Dining as an operations reference in a total dining transformation project with the U.S. Army. He toured our facility as part of a recent interview with CBS Saturday Morning.

December 13, 2025
The U.S. Army tapped celebrity chef Robert Irvine to help overhaul its mess halls and meal options, and "CBS Saturday Morning" got an inside look at Irvine's process.

"The food needs to be fresh. It can't be cooked hours before,” said Vicki Dunn, assistant vice president of Columbia Dining. Dunn emphasized the importance of buying from sustainable and local sources wherever possible. 

Irvine brought Army officials to Columbia's campus for a look at the inside operations and how the team does it -- while keeping per-meal costs contained.

Note: Columbia Dining and Event Management share a kitchen in Lerner Hall. Dish seen using tequila marinade was prepared for a catering event, not student dining.