Posted on July 17: McMaster chefs clean up in cooking competition

[img_inline align=”right” src=”http://padnws01.mcmaster.ca/images/team.jpg” caption=”McMaster’s Award-Winning Chefs”]

Hungry? How does Asian smoked tuna loin paired with a crispy Szechuan barbequed shrimp roll, and a salad of sea asparagus and braised fennel sound?

What it doesn't sound like is a traditional campus meal, but these delicious dishes were actually part of the grand prize-winning meal prepared by a team of chefs from McMaster University at the recent Canadian College & University Food Services Association (CCUFSA) Conference.

McMaster University Hospitality Services hosted the 2003 Conference from June 25 to 29. Now in its 25th year, this event drew 180 Canadian and international delegates to McMaster for four days of workshops, presentations, and collaboration.

One of the highlights of the conference was the fourth Annual Culinary Challenge. Five teams, including McMaster University, University of Waterloo, University of Massachusetts, Northern Alberta Institute of Technology (NAIT) and Chartwells, participated in this ultimate test of culinary prowess and skill. Each team prepared an appetizer, entrie, and dessert, which were judged both individually and as complete meals.

The McMaster team, consisting of Stephen Lee, John French and Nathan Evans, took grand prize for their meal consisting of Asian smoked tuna loin paired with a crispy Szechuan barbequed shrimp roll, salad of sea asparagus and braised fennel accompanied by a green tea reduction and ponzu followed by an entree of roasted elk chop served over a sour cherry polenta and baby vegetables, foie gras, morel, port infused glace de viande. Dessert was white chocolate and chambord mousses topped with a mini vidal ice wine baba in a thin pastry shell and raspberries.

The silver medalists were Bill Patrick, Lola Noel and Sandra Smith from NAIT with the bronze going to Andy Murray, Todd MacIntyre and Kerry Wickens from Chartwells. The people's choice award went to the Marc Villeneuve, Roland Lynn and Daniel Lemay from University of Waterloo for their overall buffet presentation.

The Gala Awards Dinner was held in McMaster University's newest dining location, the “East Meets West Bistro” in the new Mary E. Keyes Residence. The exciting menu, fusing east with west, was provided by Paradise Catering, a division of McMaster Hospitality Services. The talented team of chefs, led by executive chef Gordon Cooledge, provided a meal well beyond all conference attendees' expectations.

President Peter George and associate vice-president, student affairs Phil Wood were on hand to give out the awards. George commended conference attendees, on behalf of McMaster and other University presidents from across Canada, for the fine contributions that food services departments make to university communities.

For the recipe for McMaster's award-wining meal, click here.