CEHS culinology students take top prize at Nebraska Local Foods Network Chef Challenge

21 Oct 2011    

Three CEHS culinology students were named winners in a high-energy, high-pressure chef's challenge October 6. The three CEHS students included Sophomore Culinology Michael Garcia, Senior Culinology major Joshua Hobbs, and Senior Culinology major Amanda Vuu. Two other teams participated in the challenge, one from Southeast Community College at Lincoln, and Metro Community College at Omaha.

With a basket comprised of mystery local foods, the kitchens for the third-annual Nebraska Local Foods Chef Challenge were hotter than before. The culinary challenge demonstrated the ease of cooking with local foods while challenging the speed, skill, and imagination of culinary students.

After receiving their ingredients, teams had thirty minutes to set up their kitchen and plan an entrée, and one hour to turn their local food basket into a delectable entrée for a panel of four expert judges.

Judy Gilliard--author, chef, and host of the popular “Judy A La Carte” show--emceed the competition.

Garcia, Hobbs, and Vuu each received a medal, a portable induction cooking burner and pan. Additionally, the students' names will be engraved on the plaque that travels with the winning team each year.

The Nebraska Local Foods Chef Challenge is coordinated by the Nebraska Local Foods Network (NLFN), Schaefer’s TV and Appliance Center, the University of Nebraska Rural Initiative, and schools participating in this year's competiton. The local foods used are donated by several local producers.  For more information on the  Nebraska Local Food Network visit localfoods.nebraska.edu.