Taking part in the ribbon cutting ceremony were, from left, Mark Diaz, associate vice president for budget and planning; UM President Donna E. Shalala; Thomas J. LeBlanc, executive vice president and provost; Joe Natoli, senior vice president for business and finance and chief financial officer; Sebastian the Ibis; Chef Rose, owner/operator of GOT Spot Featuring Rose’s Café.

Anxious to sample some of the cuisine from the menu of the University of Miami’s newest dining option, dozens of employees attended the café’s grand opening celebration on March 26, snacking on complimentary cuisine that ranged from mini wraps to small salads. UM officials hope the eatery becomes a popular place for enjoying good food and for making new friends.

“When you come here, I want you to pretend that you’re running for mayor and introduce yourself to each other,” UM President Donna E. Shalala told employees at the ribbon-cutting ceremony for GOT Spot Featuring Rose’s Café.

“Name the Salad” winner Mary Nor Howard, second from left, with Chef Rose, President Shalala, Sebastian, Joe Natoli, and Thomas LeBlanc.

The cafe is a welcome addition for the more than 840 UM employees who work out of Gables One, an office tower located across South Dixie Highway that had been without a dining option for several months.

“I hope it becomes a place that employees will cross U.S. 1 coming this way,” UM Provost Thomas J. LeBlanc said at the ceremony, pointing toward the Coral Gables campus and then to Gables One.

During the grand opening event, winners of the café’s “Name the Wrap and Salad” contests were announced. Mary Nor Howard, an administrative assistant in the Division of University Communications, came in first place in the “Name the Salad” contest, winning an office breakfast for her “GOT U Greens” entry. And in the “Name the Wrap” contest, Tashina Arota, a data entry clerk in Accounts Payable, won a one-hour massage at the Herbert Wellness Center for her “Loco 4 Coco Curry Chicken Wrap” submission.

“Name the Wrap” winner Tashina Arota with Chef Rose, President Shalala, Joe Natoli, Thomas J. LeBlanc, and Sebastian.

The GOT Spot menu features made-to-order salads, subs, and wraps, soups, and light breakfast fare. The establishment is open Monday through Friday from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m.