| Recipe contest stirs up competition |
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| Written by Andrew Steckling, Daily Vidette Reporter |
| Monday, 31 August 2009 21:49 |
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In an attempt to better connect to students and staff, Campus Dining Services will soon introduce the first annual Redbird Recipe contest. The contest, which premieres Sept. 1, will give students and staff the opportunity to submit a recipe into consideration as a new dish in all dining centers. Arlene Hosea, director of CDS, said the contest provides an opportunity to foster greater campus involvement. “Anytime we can build school spirit, we should take advantage of it,” she said. “It’s a way to show we’re all Redbirds. Food connects people in some weird way, and wouldn’t seeing your recipe make you feel more connected to campus?” From the submissions, three finalists will be chosen. Tracy Widergren, marketing coordinator for Campus Dining Services, said the chefs responsible for making the decision will look for several characteristics in the dish. “They want to look for something that is new, that is exciting and something that isn’t ordinary to our dining centers already. “And of course, we’re looking for something that can easily be multiplied to fill the needs for all dining centers,” she said. During Homecoming week, the three finalists’ recipes will be featured in all dining centers. When students and staff walk in the dining center and swipe in for a meal, they will be handed a card and asked to rate the three dishes, if applicable. The dish that receives the greatest amount of votes will then be dubbed the winner, and will be thrown into the rotation with the other meals. The winning student or faculty member will also receive a token symbolizing their win for the first annual contest. “It’s not like we’re going to forget about the submission that won. When it comes back through the rotation, it will be listed as ‘Redbird Recipe’ and the winner’s name, as kind of a recognition thing,” Widergren said. Widergren said this contest will most likely continue regardless of the response it might have this year. “Every time you introduce something new, you won’t be sure what kind of response it will get until well into or even after the program is over,” she said. “We just want to keep the word going for students so they won’t realize on Oct. 1 that the contest is now over and they can no longer participate.” Hosea thinks the contest will get an overall good response from the student and faculty population. “I think the word’s going to get out through the efforts Tracy’s been making. I think people are going to be responsive,” she said. “It’s all about Redbird pride.” |
