Mess Committee
Mess Committee
About Details
About Mess Committee
The Mess Committee at IIM Kashipur plays a vital role in managing the campus dining services, catering to the nutritional needs of over 1000 individuals, including students, faculty, administrative staff, and guests attending various events such as Placements, Guest Lectures, and Executive Programs like MDP and EMBA. The committee ensures that meals of the highest quality are served year-round, contributing to a positive and inclusive dining experience for all stakeholders.
In 2024, the Mess Committee took a pioneering step by transitioning into a registered trust – Aahar Students Foundation – making IIM Kashipur the first business school in India to establish a dedicated trust for mess operations. This landmark initiative enhances financial transparency, governance, and student leadership. It sets a new standard for student-run models and paves the way for mentorship opportunities for other institutions looking to implement similar frameworks. This achievement is a testament to the collective efforts of students, alumni, and administration, who worked tirelessly to make this vision a reality.
Beyond meal provision, the Mess Committee serves as a practical leadership platform. By managing critical aspects such as menu planning, budgeting, staff coordination, and vendor relations, committee members gain invaluable hands-on experience. These responsibilities help students develop essential skills such as financial management, teamwork, and strategic decision-making. Through this exposure, members cultivate adaptability, problem-solving abilities, and leadership skills, preparing them for success in both professional and personal spheres.
The Mess Committee goes the extra mile to ensure that the diverse dietary preferences and needs of the community are met. Feedback from students is actively sought to tailor the menu accordingly. Special meals are organized to accommodate dietary requirements during festivals, such as fasting for Navratri or Ramadan, as well as Jain Paryushan Parva meals. Additionally, sick food packages are provided to students who are unwell, ensuring their well-being during recovery.
To make dining a more memorable experience, the Mess Committee hosts special themed dinners that add variety and excitement to campus life. Celebrating festivals the committee organizes festive dinners with traditional meals, decorations, and a vibrant atmosphere. Furthermore, regular themed nights like Italian, Punjabi, and other regional cuisine events are hosted, offering students an opportunity to enjoy diverse flavors and cultures, enhancing the dining experience.
With a dedicated team of skilled chefs and a reliable vendor management system, the committee ensures that the highest standards of food quality and hygiene are consistently maintained. The committee is responsible for overseeing procurement, quality checks, and kitchen operations, ensuring that each meal served is of exceptional quality.
Through these efforts, the Mess Committee not only fosters a sense of community but also provides members with practical experience in managing a real-world organization. Students learn valuable life skills, including punctuality, time management, quick decision-making, and proactive problem-solving. In an ever-evolving environment, committee members are encouraged to be adaptable and forward-thinking, truly embodying IIM Kashipur’s motto of “Learning by Doing.”
Members
Activity
Staff Management
Staff are the backbone of any institution, and the Mess Committee recognizes this. To foster a positive environment, we prioritize staff appreciation. From celebrating Staff Appreciation Day to distributing gifts and sweets for Diwali and Christmas, the committee shows their value for the team's hard work. Winter blanket distribution further demonstrates care and appreciation. These initiatives strengthen staff-management bonds and create a supportive workplace.
Food Procurement
Keeping the mess running smoothly and cost-efficiently requires smart food procurement. The committee prioritizes vendor management, negotiating for high-quality ingredients at competitive prices. Timely purchases ensure no disruptions, while accurate forecasting based on past data and events minimizes waste. Thereby reducing waste through careful inventory control and plate count analysis.
Finance management
Financial management in a mess encompasses various tasks such as collecting student fees, disbursing staff salaries, overseeing daily expenses, and ensuring prudent use of funds. The Mess Committee plays a pivotal role in executing timely fee collection, providing fair staff compensation, efficiently managing expenses, and making judicious financial decisions.
Installation of New TV and Speakers
To improve the dining experience and provide students with a means to unwind from academic stress and enjoy their time, new TVs were installed in both the ground-floor and first-floor mess areas. Additionally, new speakers were installed to create an atmosphere conducive to relaxation and enjoyment.
Events
Menu Diversification
Throughout the year, the emphasis has been placed on selecting a diverse range of dishes for the mess menu each month to maintain freshness and excitement in food options. This selection process takes into account factors such as seasonality, availability of local produce, and feedback from diners, while also incorporating experimentation with various cuisines, fusion dishes, and healthy alternatives. A wide variety of dishes were added to the menu based on feedback received from the batch. New additions to the regular menu included sweet and snack items such as Pizza, Burger, Momos, Cream Rolls, Mawa Peda, Kadhai Milk, and Rasmalai. Furthermore, the frequency of boiled egg offerings was increased in the week, and Bourn Vita, Cornflakes, Muesli, and Papad were served regularly in the menu
Regional Palate
To celebrate India's rich culinary tapestry, the IIM Kashipur mess offers a diverse menu reflecting regional flavors. This caters to the students' varied backgrounds, offering a taste of home with dishes like South Indian idli, dosa, and vada, Punjabi staples like kadhai chawal and rajma chawal, and Maharashtrian favorites like vada pav and misal pav.
Beyond these regional specialties, the mess committee goes a step further by hosting themed nights. Recent events have showcased the distinct cuisines of Bihar, Rajasthan, Maharashtra, and Punjab, alongside an Italian Night, fostering not only cultural exchange but also an appreciation for culinary diversity.
Special Dinners
To liven up the dining experience and celebrate cultural diversity, the IIM Kashipur Mess Committee throws special themed dinners. This year, the vibrant flavors of Kashipur street food to students' plates with live counters offering chaat, pizzas, paan, and kulfi. Beyond these themed extravaganzas, the committee elevates the everyday experience by decorating the mess for special occasions like Freshers' Day, Dusshera, Diwali, Agnitraya, and Farewell. Special music adds another layer to the festive atmosphere.
The committee also ensures special meals on national achievements like Chandrayaan's landing or the ICC World Cup win weave food into the institute's spirit. Even the Ram Mandir opening was marked with a celebratory meal. These initiatives enrich the communal dining experience, fostering a culture of shared joy.
Mess services at MDP, Institute Programs & Academic Events
The IIM Kashipur mess goes beyond everyday meals. It cater to MDPs, programs, and events, ensuring high-quality food aligns with the institute's standards. Special arrangements are made for dignitaries, including personalized service and dietary considerations. This commitment to hospitality enhances the overall experience for all participants.
Gala Dinner during Uttishtha and Aluminati’24
The IIM Kashipur Mess Committee marked key events with successful Gala Dinners. Uttishtha, the entrepreneurship summit, saw a celebratory dinner for over 300 attendees, boosting the event's spirit. This well-received experience provided valuable event management insights for the committee.
Secondly, to honor alumni, the committee hosted another Gala Dinner during Aluminati'24, the Grand Reunion. This heartfelt welcome back celebrated the graduation of over 10 batches, with a diverse menu for a nostalgic return.
