Gonville & Caius College is delighted to share the results of our Old Courts Kitchen Refurbishment with a series of videos about the project.

Dining is a major part of the Caius student experience, with First Hall followed by Second, or Formal Hall from Sundays to Fridays, and cafeteria dining on Saturdays. It helps build the community, by bringing students and Fellows together.

The 18-month project to refurbish our kitchens for the first time since the 1960s began in 2019 and the Covid-19 pandemic provided additional challenges, but we are thrilled with the results, and so are our students.

Isobel Crabb (Natural Sciences 2018) says: “There’s nothing like sitting down at the end of the day, having a chat with your friends, milling over the work that you’ve done, discussing things that you might not agree about, all over a lovely meal in a Hall that is just so old and beautiful. It’s just fabulous.

“I’ve really enjoyed the changes to the food at Caius. I believe that the range of food that we’ve been served recently, and the quality, has gone up. We’ve got quite a few vegetarian and vegan friends, (and) the improvements made in that side of the menu definitely have been noticed.”

Four videos cover the project:

Introducing the Project

Domestic Bursar Jennifer Phillips MA FCA introduces the kitchen refurbishment project, and students Harry Langford and Isobel Crabb comment on the dining experience in the Hall.

Caius, sustainability and working with a Grade I listed building

Estates Manager Andrew Gair describes how the project considered the environmental impact of our catering operations to ensure our Grade I listed buildings had kitchens fit for the 21^st century, with waste heat used to heat water and food waste sent for composting.

Life in the Kitchens

Head of Catering Ricardo Soares talks about the difference the refurbishment has made to the staff and to the way they work.

Caius and community

Domestic Bursar Jennifer Phillips MA FCA discusses the benefits to the wider Caius charitable objectives of the project, and thanks partners and donors for their contribution to the Caius community, which is strengthened through dining.