The Culinary Support Center (CSC) at Watterson Dining Commons is the core of Illinois State University's campus dining system and the largest food production facility on campus. This centralized facility restructured how food is prepared, distributed, and managed across the university-supporting higher culinary standards, improved consistency, and long-term operational flexibility.

Designed as a comprehensive production hub, the CSC consolidates cold production, cook-chill processing, and full bakery operations in a purpose-built environment. The facility prepares and distributes food to multiple satellite dining locations across campus, increasing efficiency while ensuring freshness, food safety, and consistent quality from preparation through final delivery. Special attention was given to workflow, logistics, and temperature control, allowing food to move seamlessly from creation to service.

The project involved renovation of existing facilities and the construction of two new interior levels. The ground floor houses cook-chill production, smoking, and cold-prep functions, enabling large-scale scratch cooking with precise temperature management. The upper level includes a centralized bakery, test kitchen, staff training spaces, and additional seating. State-of-the-art equipment supports high-volume production while allowing culinary staff to continually refine recipes, respond to changing dietary needs, and maintain consistency across campus.

A dedicated test kitchen plays a critical role in innovation and education-supporting recipe development, food safety training, and hands-on instruction. The space enables experimentation with new menu items, accommodates evolving dietary preferences, and supports expanded culinary education and engagement.

Architecturally, the Culinary Support Center reinforces Watterson Dining Commons as a campus gateway. A new private dining room and test kitchen are expressed at the prominent corner of North Street and Fell Avenue, marked by a generous feature window opening onto a new dining and lounge area that announces arrival and strengthens campus identity.