Trending Tuesdays Bring Popular Flavors to Jones College

Students at Jones College are getting a taste of the latest food trends thanks to Chef Chia "Andy" Wu and his new initiative, Trending Tuesdays. Launched in response to student feedback from last semester’s dining survey, Trending Tuesdays bring popular social media recipes to life at the Exhibition Station in the Dining Hall every Tuesday in February.

The series kicked off with Baked Feta Pasta, a dish that gained massive popularity online. "As soon as students saw it, they were excited to try it," said Wu. "The hype around it really set the tone for the rest of the month."

Next up on the menu were Fried Boudin Balls and Flamin’ Hot Cheeto Mac & Cheese Bites. Many students had never tried boudin before, but after one bite, they were hooked. “I had no idea what boudin was, but now I’m going to be craving this all the time,” said Jones sophomore Bryce Burrell.

One of the biggest hits of the month was the Fried Chicken Lollipops. These crispy, bite-sized chicken wings, shaped into a lollipop and served with a sweet and spicy Thai Chili dipping sauce, became an instant favorite. "The energy at the station each week has been incredible—some students come up already knowing the recipes, while others are trying them for the first time," said Wu. "Seeing their reactions, especially to things like boudin or the fried chicken lollipops, has been the best part."

Trending Tuesdays will wrap up next week with the final featured dish: Little Mac Sliders. These mini burgers will bring all the flavors of a well-known fast-food favorite but with a fresh, made-from-scratch twist.

With students lining up each week, the success of Trending Tuesdays highlights the growing demand for creative, innovative dining experiences on campus. Wu and his team are already looking ahead to new ways to bring bold, trending flavors to the dining hall.

Trending Tuesdays take place every Tuesday in February at the Exhibition Station in the Jones College Dining Hall.