ISU Dining launches pop-up bakeries this week

Table of boxed bakery products on red ISU Dining cloth

ISU Dining is hosting three pop-up events for its bakery products this week. Submitted image.

ISU Dining is showcasing one of its "sweetest" venues this week, Wednesday-Friday. The ISU Bakery will host three pop-up events that feature made-from-scratch specialty items normally not found in the bakery cases across campus -- and packaged for sharing with friends, coworkers and family. The specialty items will be available when each location opens until that day's supply is gone.

"We hear frequently, 'I didn't know ISU had a bakery.' This is a way we can get our name out there and showcase what we do," said Ben Billings, manager of the ISU Bakery. "We're hoping this is the first of many."

The pop-up locations and start times are:

  • April 10, 7:30 a.m., the Hub, central campus
  • April 11, 8:30 a.m., West Side Market, Union Drive Community Center
  • April 12, 7:30 a.m., MU Market, Memorial Union across from the bookstore

Chef de cuisine Ed Astrita, baker Matt Behm and Billings selected the menu, which features seven items available each day:

  • Pecan rolls
  • Cinnamon roll knots
  • Raspberry kolaches
  • Cheddar bacon chive scones
  • Spring-decorated sugar cookies
  • Tea cookies in three flavors: mocha, chocolate shortbread, pecan
  • Spring-decorated cupcakes

The items will be packaged in boxes of four or six. Quantities are limited, and a sampling table will be available so you can "try before you buy." The preferred payment is credit/debit cards or Dining Dollars (ISU Dining is a cashless operation).

Billings said he recommends trying the cheddar bacon chive scone. "There's no shortage of bacon, cheddar or chives in this scone," he said.