Welcome Asheville School: New Dining Partnership
Elior Independent School Dining is proud to announce a new culinary services partnership with the Asheville School, a leading private, university-preparatory boarding school located in Asheville, North Carolina. Services commenced on June 1st.
The decision follows a comprehensive evaluation process across multiple school departments, (including student life, strategic enrollment and athletics), during which Elior distinguished itself through its ability to listen deeply to client needs and deliver a fully customized dining program using fresh ingredients—moving beyond the standardized, one-size-fits-all approach common in the industry. As part of the selection process, the Elior team also showcased its culinary capabilities by preparing and catering a scratch prepared personalized meal in the Head of School’s residence, offering a firsthand demonstration of its hospitality, attention to detail, and elevated dining experience.
“Elior stood out for its attention to detail and its commitment to understanding what matters most to our campus community,” said Chief Financial and Operations Officer Beth McWilliams. “Their ability to translate those insights into a tailored, inclusive dining program that reflects the diversity and expectations of our campus culture made them the clear choice.”
Serving a vibrant and globally diverse campus—including students from across the United States and 13 countries—Elior’s approach is rooted in inclusivity and authenticity. “Central to Elior’s program is a focus on delivering an authentic dining experience through thoughtfully developed menus that utilize fresh ingredients and preparation methods that honor a broad range of tastes, cultural traditions and dietary needs - helping all students and faculty feel at home on campus,” said Elior Lead Director of Business Development Mark Turner
The dining program features scratch-prepared traditional and globally inspired foods, along with Elior’s signature concepts including Bowl + Broth, offering customizable, nourishing Southern Vietnamese-inspired rice noodle bowls; Mezze Table, showcasing the fresh, vibrant flavors of the Eastern Mediterranean; and SeoulTown, highlighting bold, authentic Korean cuisine. Together, these concepts create a dynamic dining program that celebrates global flavors while meeting diverse dietary preferences.
Other key factors in Asheville School’s decision included Elior’s strong emphasis on quality of service, food safety and allergen-aware menus, along with robust nutrition services including access to a dietitian. Through Elior’s BeWell health and wellness platform, Asheville School students and faculty can easily identify and choose nutritious options with clear menu labeling. Additionally, Elior’s FUELED, a value-added sports nutrition program, will deliver meal plans and recipes designed for pre-and post-performance needs, all backed by registered dietitian expertise.
Elior will serve a combination of seated lunches, family-style dining and weekend brunch for 285 students in grades 9–12, as well as meals for approximately 200 faculty, staff, and residential community members.
In addition to everyday dining, catering will play a key role, with Elior’s culinary and hospitality teams partnering with Asheville School to elevate campus life through thoughtfully curated events, fundraising initiatives, and recruitment experiences. From signature celebrations to strategic enrollment events, together, Asheville School and Elior teams will deliver customized menus, décor, and service that enhance the school’s brand and create memorable guest and dining experiences!
