How Teamworks Performance Kitchen Elevates The PAD
In the heart of Purdue University’s athletic operations, a new standard for nutrition and efficiency has emerged. The Performance Athletic Dining facility, affectionately known as The PAD, is setting the gold standard for training tables nationwide. Anchored by the innovation of Teamworks Nutrition and powered by a collaborative team of dietitians and culinary experts, The PAD is transforming the way student-athletes fuel their performance on and off the field.
A Vision Realized: From Challenge to Opportunity
“We provide fueling in almost every facet of our athletes’ day-to-day,” shares Lauren Link, MS, RD, CSSD, Assistant Athletics Director for Sports Nutrition. “We’re with them every step of the way—from pre-workout snacks to post-game recovery meals.” For years, the lack of a centralized dining hub was a challenge for Purdue Athletics. The PAD’s debut marked a pivotal shift, offering an all-encompassing space where athletes could meet nutritional needs tailored to their unique goals.
Inside The PAD, athletes engage with carefully crafted meals, and staff guide them in building plates that fuel optimal performance.
The Facility: Where Nutrition Meets Innovation
Elaine Wanstreet, MEd, RD, CSSD, Assistant Director of Sports Nutrition for Olympic sports, highlights the impact of the new facility. “Now, it’s as simple as saying, ‘Go to the training table, and we’ll build your plate together.’ For athletes hesitant about certain foods, like broccoli, we experiment with preparation methods—roasting it, adding cheese—until it works for them.”
The dynamic flow of athletes moving through The PAD, selecting dishes, and interacting with staff creates a vibrant energy mirrored in the diverse and culturally rich menu options crafted in collaboration with Levy’s talented culinary team.
Collaboration in Action: Chefs and Dietitians Unite
The synergy between Purdue’s dietitians and culinary staff is palpable. “Our performance chef brings a broad base of cultural foods and nutrition expertise,” Elaine explains. Executive Chef Shameire Taylor echoes this sentiment: “Collaborating with dietitians is a dynamite scenario. We meet weekly to balance healthy nutrition with satisfying flavors, ensuring the athletes’ needs are met.”
This partnership elevates The PAD’s dining experience into something more impactful than just food.
Tech-Driven Transformation: Teamworks Nutrition
The introduction of Teamworks Nutrition has revolutionized operations at The PAD. Lauren Link describes the seamless integration: “With real-time rosters and dining hall menus in the app, the check-in process became incredibly efficient. The platform ties all our efforts together.”
Shelby Smit, Levy’s Operations Manager for Athletic Dining, praises the efficiency gains: “From menu development to attendance tracking, Teamworks simplifies everything. What used to take hours with pen and paper now happens in moments with QR codes.”
This efficiency not only saves time but also ensures data accuracy for personalized meal planning.
Reaching Every Athlete: Personalized Nutrition at Scale
Managing the dietary needs of hundreds of athletes is no small feat, but Teamworks Nutrition empowers staff to deliver personalized support. “I have a very diverse population to work with,” says Elaine. “Without this platform, reaching all 200 athletes regularly would be nearly impossible.”
Theresa Patten, MS, RDN, highlights the customization options: “With so many different teams and goals, the platform allows us to tailor meal plans effectively, helping athletes achieve their performance objectives.”
Athlete Engagement and Long-Term Impact
The platform’s photo-logging feature has transformed engagement. Ellen Rice, RD, LDN, CSSD, shares: “Athletes love taking pictures of their meals. It’s simple for them and gives us a visual record to track progress.” Over time, these records translate into measurable results, fostering excitement and accountability among the athletes.
Beyond nutrition, The PAD is about empowerment. “What I love most about my job is seeing athletes grow into adults who understand how to live healthy lives beyond their sport,” Elaine reflects. The PAD isn’t just a dining hall; it’s a launching pad for lifelong wellness.
A Model for Excellence
As Purdue Athletics continues to innovate, The PAD stands as a testament to what’s possible when technology, collaboration, and vision converge. The Performance Kitchen is more than a facility; it’s a community, a laboratory, and a beacon of excellence in collegiate sports nutrition.
With Teamworks Nutrition at its core, The PAD has set a new standard—one that other institutions will surely look to emulate in the years to come.
Learn more about Teamworks Nutrition.