Topics

More

Penn State Dining Hosts Student Chef Challenge For Culinary Apprentices

Penn State is getting its own version of Chopped with Penn State Dining’s first culinary challenge for culinary apprentices in the dining halls. The challenge, sponsored by Barilla, asks teams of culinary apprentices from each dining hall to create an original pasta dish and compete against each other for the chance to showcase their dishes to students.

Students in a culinary apprenticeship begin as dining hall employees before they’re promoted based on an interest in cooking or a recommendation from a managing chef. For the challenge, culinary apprentices formed teams of two and worked with managing chefs to create, test, and modify their dishes.

The first “regional round” was held in each of the five dining halls on February 1, with some teams competing to move on and others moving on by default. Five teams will compete in the the final round on March 29 on the main floor of Redifer Commons, where students will be able to watch from start to finish.

The winners of the challenge will win a grand prize and possibly the chance to have their dish showcased in the dining halls this spring. According to Associate Director of Residential Dining Jim Meinecke, the dining hall menu committee will discuss whether to integrate the winning dish into next year’s menu after spring break.

Even in the challenge’s first year, Meinecke is hopeful it will grow into something bigger.

“My hope is that we can keep doing this every year and [this year’s participants] can tell the rest of their team that they had a lot of fun so we can try it again,” he said. “Hopefully it can grow each year.”

Your ad blocker is on.

Please choose an option below.

Sign up for our e-mail newsletter:
OR
Support quality journalism:
Purchase a Subscription!

About the Author

Gabriela Stevenson

Gabriela is a senior majoring in print and digital journalism and Onward State's former student life editor. She is from Norristown, PA, which she normally refers to as "30 minutes outside of Philadelphia" (she looked up the exact driving time). She enjoys really enjoys eating cereal at night, in case you were wondering. To contact Gabriela, e-mail her at gabriela@onwardstate.com, or follow her on Twitter @GabiStevenson if you want to feel young again.

‘He’s The Best Natural Hockey Player I’ve Ever Played With’: Aiden Fink Eyes Hobey Baker Award & NCAA Tournament Berth

The sophomore leads the nation in points per game and is second in goals.

Where Do Nittany Lions Land In Post-Super Bowl Mock Drafts?

The Nittany Lions could see two of their own called within the top 10 of the upcoming NFL Draft.

Penn State To Print Fresh: Barbara Ovrutsky Muckle Makes Impact As Apparel Brand Art Director

“We really want to make sure that everybody can see themselves in our brand.” 

113kFollowers
164kFollowers
63.7kFollowers
4,570Subscribers
Sign up for our Newsletter

Other posts by Gabriela

Looking Up From My Shoes: Gabriela Stevenson’s Senior Column

“Looking up can be hard to do (especially when your shoes are really cute). When you do, it may not look like what you thought it would. I know now that can be a really great thing.”

Pop Up Ave Is Back For Its Annual Spring Flea Market

Penn State Researchers Discover Lizards Probably Handle Sex And Stress Better Than People