Watch out Hub—the Cafe is adding a milkshake machine to its line of services.
The new machine will make its debut Monday, Oct. 10 during the evening meal.
The milkshake machine uses soft-serve ice cream to make custom malts, shakes and blizzards. Students will be able to build their own treat using a variety of toppings and flavors such as Butterfingers, M&M’s, bananas, coconut, chocolate, caramel, whipped cream, cherries, Snickers and brownie bits. There will be at least nine topping options out at a time.
Chef BJ Whitmore is open to student suggestions for toppings and flavors.
“If it’s a reasonable request and we can order it, we can get it,” Whitmore said.
The inspiration for the new milkshake machine came from a trip Whitmore took to another college.
“I went to Morningside for training, and they have a milkshake machine,” Whitmore said. “The chef there said it was widely popular among the students, so I thought it would be great to have one here. I hope it’s going to be popular and something students enjoy. Overall, it’s an investment in student happiness.”
Students, such as freshman Alexis Graves, are eager to try the new machine.
“I’m really excited to make my own blizzards,” Graves said. “It will be interesting to see the different ways students combine the toppings. However, this is not going to help with the freshman 15.”
Sophomore Mackenzie Larin said she will probably go to the Cafe more often with the addition of the milkshake machine.
“It will be nice to get a blizzard or shake and not have to spend flex money,” Larin said. “I’m not big on trying new things, but if there are Oreos, I’ll put them in a blizzard.”
Normally, the milkshake machine will be located next to the soft serve ice cream, but on Monday night it will be set up at the end of the soup bar. Whitmore will be there giving instructions and helping students get accustomed to the new machine.
“The machine is really easy to use,” Whitmore said. “It has its own stainless steel cups that you place your soft serve ice cream and toppings in. It only takes a few seconds for the machine to mix them up.”
