The University of Westminster and its hospitality partners Aramark have won the U Dine Award for New Café Concept for the café at Zone29, the University’s new home for careers and enterprise.
The U Dine Awards celebrate excellence and innovation in UK university hospitality each year. Since opening earlier in 2026, the ground floor café at Zone29 has provided an innovative and modern dining experience in a premium space. Designed to be welcoming and versatile, it offers students, colleagues and members of the public a comfortable place to work quietly, catch up with peers and unwind between activities. Zone29 opened its doors in Spring 2026 to bring together careers, enterprise and external engagement in one innovative physical and digital space, transforming how the University collaborates with businesses and the local community.
The café proudly serves Ozone Coffee, a speciality coffee brand rooted in ethically and sustainably sourced coffee. This aligns with the University’s strategic commitment to sustainable development and its EcoCampus Platinum Award certification for environmental management.
About the award Krzysztof Sumik, Executive Head Chef at the University of Westminster, said: “To win this award feels like a true team success. Every member of the team contributed to making this concept something special and it means a lot to us as it reflects the journey we’ve taken to create something different and exciting for our campus.”
Kenneth Kinsella, Director of Estates Planning and Services at the University of Westminster, said: "Zone29 is one of the most ambitious capital projects in the University's history, and this award is wonderful early recognition of what it was built to do — bring people together. The café was conceived not as an add-on but as the social heart of the building, welcoming students, colleagues, businesses and our Marylebone neighbours alike. Huge congratulations to the Aramark team, whose creativity and care have brought the space to life so soon after opening. It's a fantastic endorsement of a true partnership between our teams, and a taste of what's to come as Zone29 moves to full operation this autumn."
The café at Zone29 contributes to several of the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) including 12: Responsible Consumption and Production and 17: Partnerships for Goals. Since 2019, the University of Westminster has used the SDGs holistically to frame strategic decisions to help students and colleagues fulfil their potential and contribute to a more sustainable, equitable and healthier society.
Find out more about Zone29 at the University of Westminster.
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