Au Bon Pain opens at Christiana Hospital

Au Bon Pain opens at Christiana Hospital

Employees and visitors to Christiana Hospital are enjoying healthy meals at the new Au Bon Pain café, where diners can quickly research nutritional values before choosing from salads, sandwiches or baked goods.

“One of the advantages of Au Bon Pain is the concept of high-quality, local, fresh products,” said Ray Seigfried, senior vice president of Administration, Clinical and Materiel Operations. “That’s why we chose them to be our partner in keeping our neighbors healthy.”

Au Bon Pain opened June 11 at Christiana Hospital, following the debut of the chain’s first Delaware café at Wilmington Hospital in October.

Cutting the ribbon to open the Christiana Hospital Au Bon Pain: Deborah Learn Alchon, Christiana Care corporate director of Food and Nutrition Services; Gary Ferguson, Christiana Care Health System chief operating officer; Brian Wright, Au Bon Pain chief operating officer; and Ray Seigfried, senior vice president of Administration, Clinical and Materiel Operations.
Cutting the ribbon to open the Christiana Hospital Au Bon Pain: Deborah Learn Alchon, Christiana Care corporate director of Food and Nutrition Services; Gary Ferguson, Christiana Care Health System chief operating officer; Brian Wright, Au Bon Pain chief operating officer; and Ray Seigfried, senior vice president of Administration, Clinical and Materiel Operations.

In addition to ready-to-go and made-to-order meals, both locations offer catering services. By 1 p.m. on opening day, the Christiana location already had delivered boxed lunches for training sessions and sandwich trays for meetings.

Au Bon Pain has been named multiple times to Health Magazine’s list of America’s Top 5 Healthiest Restaurants. The café complements current offerings at Brew Ha Ha and the employee cafeteria.

“The café offers a change of pace from the very busy cafeteria,” said Deborah Learn Alchon, Christiana Care corporate director of Food and Nutrition Services. “Guests can either get a quick bite or sit down and talk.”

A kiosk with a computer touch pad allows guests to learn nutritional information on various offerings, including calories, fat and salt content, and allergens. Calorie counts are printed on menus.

aubonpain013The 60-seat Christiana Hospital location offers a new format with upgraded finishes including tile floors, wood accents and pendant lighting.

On opening day, visitors sampled sweet cheese Danish and other baked goods. They selected ready-made, grab-and-go salads or ordered made-to-order dishes such as lobster salad on freshly baked bread. Au Bon Pain brought in its master baker from Philadelphia to train the Christiana Care staff.

The restaurant selection process included input from guests, staff and administration, as well as site visits to an Au Bon Pain in northern New Jersey, and a café at another large health system.

Au Bon Pain at Christiana Hospital is open Monday through Friday, 6 a.m. to 9 p.m., and weekends 6 a.m. to 8 p.m.

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