Moments before the name “Island Soul” is revealed, students pivotal to the restaurant’s creation prepare to cut the ribbon. Photo by Janelle Clausen.

By Janelle Clausen
Staff Writer

Stony Brook is about to get a taste of the Caribbean.

The Feb. 17 grand opening of Island Soul, a Caribbean food outlet in the Union Commons, is a product of student input and cooperation with Campus Dining, the Faculty Student Association and caterers.

Campus Dining also came to the Multicultural Affairs department to make this happen, according to Cheryl Chambers, the associate dean and director of Multicultural Affairs.

“It has been a long time coming,” said Randy Ferguson, 21, a previous winner of the Caribbean Cook-Off here at Stony Brook. He added that he hopes it will become a staple like Wendy’s was, before it was replaced by The Grille @ Roth.

It was also described as a testament to the diversity on campus.

“It’s a kind of ‘we heard you’ scenario,” said Gretchen Favors, a general manager with Campus Dining.

Caribbean will be continuing to identify menu items and narrow it down to favorites in the upcoming weeks, she added.

“As somebody who lives on campus, it’s important to have something that keeps you here,” Shaquille Simpson, a senior health sciences major, said.