The Golden Habanero is set to bring authentic Latin-inspired cuisine to the Student Center Hub within the next few weeks, meanwhile the Student Center aims to attracts students to the Hub with new menu items. 

Jacob Kuehn, senior director of Culinary Services, shared that Culinary Services is waiting on final approval from the fire marshal and Kent City Health Department before they can open the restaurant.

Kuehn explained how within the past year they have begun bringing in more “authentic global food and trends” to the center. This began in 2024, at the Design and Innovation Hub’s dining hall where they introduced street bowls and the Southern Kitchen. Culinary Services are also continuing to change dining hall menus around campus to bring these authentic global food trends to Kent.

Recharge focuses on providing wellness to the students, offering subs, smoothies and cold press juices. Homeslice opened in 2022, but recently added meatball subs, breaded four cheese ravioli breakfast pizza and more to its menu.

“Additionally, we wanted to create a variety of food experience within the Kent Student Center Hub and that has begun to unfold with changes to Homeslice, the introduction of Recharge and now Golden Habanero,” Kuehn said.

“Hub is Hoppin’” will be a re-grand opening of all food locations in the Student Center Hub on Oct. 22 from 11 a.m. – 11 p.m. 

“There will be giveaways and buzz around all the concepts that were rebranded. At minimum, there will be some food samples from Golden Habanero, and [we’re] hopeful that we can be opened for purchases also.” Kuehn said.

Ava Drozd is a reporter. Contact her at [email protected].