Elior Executives Visit WVU to Celebrate Growth, Partnership, and Culinary Excellence
WVU recently welcomed senior leaders from Elior’s headquarters in France, marking an exciting moment of connection between the international hospitality group and the WVU campus.
The visit marked a milestone in Elior’s partnership with WVU and its ongoing investment in the future of campus hospitality. Through innovative retail concepts, student-centered dining experiences, and an elevated approach to catering, WVU Hospitality Group continues to enhance what it means to dine on campus.
The visit concluded with a dinner hosted at President Benson’s residence, where WVU and Elior Executives enjoyed a memorable menu curated and led by Chef Sandra Canon, whose inspiration for the evening centered around one theme — family.
“My inspiration for this menu was family—the heart of everything I do. I wanted the dinner to reflect the collaboration and talent within our culinary family, bringing together chefs from across our network alongside our incredible local team. Each person’s creativity and passion came through in every dish.
Family, to me, is about connection, sharing, and gathering around the table. That’s what I wanted this meal to represent—two worlds coming together through food, laughter, and community. The menu also included touches of my Colombian roots, a cuisine defined by warmth and tradition, and a few deeply personal dishes, like my Sunday gravy, which has always symbolized love and comfort.
This dinner was also a celebration of our team’s achievements, including our win at the Taste of Morgantown, which truly showcased what happens when we cook from the heart. For WVU, I wanted this meal to feel like inviting new friends to our family table—a reflection of togetherness, pride, and everything we can create when we work as one.”
Chef Sandra’s heartfelt approach was brought to life through the collaboration of culinary talents from across Elior North America’s network, including Chef Kyle from Waynesburg and local chefs Ryan, Noah, Melanie, and Alester, along with front-of-house stars Christina and Austin. Together, the team crafted a dining experience that celebrated both local flavor and global inspiration.
The evening highlighted a partnership built on creativity, hospitality, and a shared commitment to shaping a dining experience that feels like home.
