Southgate Center cake orders become a smash hit across campus

This spring, Dining Services' Southgate Center launched custom cake orders available for anyone to purchase through Grubhub. While the center initially set goals to meet a recognized need, cake orders exceeded expectations, so production expanded, and over 100 cakes were successfully served in the first few months. 

Since opening in 1987, Southgate Center has produced a variety of baked goods, including cake slices, muffins, brownies, cookies, and other grab-and-go items. Its production has expanded steadily, and today Southgate supplies hundreds of Grab N' Gobble items in locations across campus.

As requests for custom cakes from parents, faculty, and staff became more frequent, Southgate Center Pastry Chef Matthew Kluttz saw an opportunity to expand the bakery's offerings and provide a new on-campus service.

“I knew that if we produced a good product, we’d have success,” said Kluttz. “What I didn’t expect was how many people we’d be able to reach on campus. Since orders last year-round, students, parents, faculty, staff, or anyone can find a reason to order a cake.”

Before joining Virginia Tech, Kluttz worked as a pastry chef at resorts and at The Palisades restaurant in Eggleston, Virginia. He joined Virginia Tech Dining Services in 2023, seeking a better work-life balance while continuing his passion for pastry. Drawing on his extensive experience in bakery production, Kluttz helped establish Southgate Bakery's custom cake program with a strong launch.

“It hit quite successfully right out of the gate and only picked up more and more momentum as the semester went on,” said Brandon Hendricks, senior associate director for Dining Services. “We got to the point to where we had to cap production numbers just to ensure that we were meeting quality standards for the extra work that these cakes entail.”

Campus departments can purchase custom cakes in HokieMart through America To-Go for meetings, celebrations, and other campus events. Along with custom orders, full-sized retail cakes can also be purchased at Deet’s Place during the school year.