Evaluation of the satisfaction survey of Mensa Stimm-Gabel
Mensa Stimm-Gabel is a central meeting place for students and staff of Hochschule für Musik „Carl Maria von Weber“. To further improve our services, we conducted an online survey from May 5th to 30th, 2025, in which 315 people participated. We thank everyone for their feedback, which helps us to improve our canteen to better meet the needs of our guests.
The survey results are mixed.
The value for money received generally positive reviews, with students being significantly more satisfied than staff. Opinions on portion sizes were similarly divided. However, the service and environment received very positive feedback: almost all respondents praised the canteen's cleanliness, and over 80 percent highlighted the staff's friendliness.
A third of those who participated were dissatisfied with the variety of dishes, with vegetarian and vegan options being particularly criticized. The snack and coffee selection, on the other hand, was praised. Opinions on the food quality also varied: while the salt content was generally considered appropriate, many guests described the dishes as bland overall. Two-thirds were satisfied with the temperature, but opinions on freshness were divided. Visual presentation and overall quality were also judged very differently.
When interpreting these results, it's important to consider that Mensa Stimm-Gabel operates under unique circumstances. It's a so-called "service canteen": since cooking isn't possible on-site, all meals are prepared at Mensa Matrix and then delivered. Freshness, appearance, and taste inevitably suffer as a result. Furthermore, dishes can't be recooked in batches, as is possible in our dining halls with their own kitchens. This inability to recook also means that dishes are occasionally sold out. The menu selection is also limited, as we can generally only offer components that can be kept warm for extended periods. The survey frequently pointed out Alte Mensa or Zeltschlösschen as positive examples. We want to be transparent here: we cannot offer the same selection and quality at Mensa Stimm-Gabel.
Despite these structural limitations, we take the criticism seriously and are implementing improvements. Among other things, we are examining the possibility of offering more vegetarian and vegan dishes, adding a third dish, arranging additional deliveries to improve freshness, and reactivating individual components on-site. We also plan to expand our snack selection, as these items can be easily replenished. It is already certain that the popular soup menu will be retained and that vegetarian and vegan dishes will generally remain the most affordable options for students in Mensa Stimm-Gabel.
Overall, the survey shows that cleanliness and service are at a very high level, while variety, freshness, and taste offer room for improvement. Even though the quality in a serving canteen is not entirely comparable to that in our other dining halls, we continue to work diligently to increase our guests' satisfaction.
Results of the satisfaction survey on the Stimm-Gabel canteen as PDF (German only)More about Mensa Stimm-Gabel
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