Daily News

Posted on June 26: Chefs heat up in annual competition

Seaweed and giant eels are frequent ingredients as master chefs in various culinary styles compete against challengers on the Iron Chef, a hit Japanese TV show that airs on the Food Network. While McMaster chefs may not regularly reach for the giant eels, they are no less competitive, as they demonstrate this Thursday in the 4th Annual Culinary Challenge, part of the Canadian College and University Food Service Association (CCUFSA) Conference. Wednesday, June 25 to Sunday, June 29, 2003, approximately 150 people from across Canada and the United States will gather at McMaster for the 25th Annual CCUFSA Conference. Delegates consist of representatives from student and hospitality services. Directors, managers, chefs, and industry partners come together to share ideas, information, and knowledge with peers from across North America. Formed in Ontario in 1978, the CCUFSA has grown into a national group comprised of food service directors and managers from self operating and contracted schools as well as senior administrators that oversee food services as part of their portfolio. The goal of the association is to enhance the quality of campus life through the growth and development of food service operations in colleges and universities The conference features speakers from both Canada and the U.S. These specialists will be presenting on the changing tastes of today's students and future trends in food services. Explains Peter George, President of McMaster University, "Students are changing, both in numbers and in tastes. Next year at McMaster, we are expecting to welcome approximately 5000 new students. With this increase in enrolment comes an increase in diversity. Already, our students represent nearly 80 countries worldwide. These students present many challenges to food services staff." McMaster's La Piazza dining facility, located in the McMaster University Student Centre, is one of the largest and most diverse campus facilities of its kind in Ontario. From charbroiled steaks, fajitas, and wraps, to customized pasta stirfries and sandwiches, to gourmet baked goods, to the Made in Japan Teriyaki Experience, the variety ensures that there is something to please every palette. The 2003 CCUFSA Conference will include a tour of McMaster University and it's newly developed buildings. Other events include a tradeshow of new age products and services designed for the university and college foodservice market and a cross Canada check-up. The highlight of the conference will definitely be the 4th Annual Chef's Competition. This year's event promises to be the best ever, explains conference chair and director, hospitality services, Albert Ng. Five teams from both Canada and U.S. universities will participate in this ultimate test of culinary prowess and skill. Like on the Iron Chef, it all comes down to one final question: Who will be victorious and who will be vanquished?

Posted on June 26: Solar car team ready to race with the sun

It's shaped like an airplane wing, and covered in 450 foil tiles. It runs on batteries that cost $21,000. Its driver cannot be taller than 6'2" or lighter than 176 pounds. It's based on the principles of how a normal car works, but is anything but normal. What is it, you ask? This extraordinary vehicle is Fireball II, McMaster's second generation solar vehicle, and it's about to cruise across the United States along historic Route 66 in the American Solar Car Challenge. Before it heads south, Fireball II makes its debut Friday, June 27, 2003, at 11:30 a.m. outside the John Hodgins Engineering Building (JHE). This event is an opportunity for sponsors, media personnel, and any other interested people to get acquainted with McMaster's new second generation solar vehicle.

Posted on June 26: Spring walking group treks 747 km

Cumulatively, they walked 747 km over six weeks a distance equivalent to walking from McMaster to Sault Ste. Marie. McMaster's Employee Health and Wellness recently wrapped up its annual spring walking group sessions, which gathered employees together each Tuesday and Thursday over the lunch hour for a walk around campus. "The intention was to get people together on their lunch hour for a time of exercise and socialization," says Debra Earl, employee health educator. She says 69 employees registered to participate in this activity. Certified fitness instructor Rose Bilicic led the group walk, providing instruction on proper technique, warm up and cool down exercises. The group walked various routes around campus and the community and nearby walking trails. On each walk, Bilicic recorded the distance traveled by using a pedometer, usually about 3.5 km. The total distance walked over the 12 sessions was 44 km and the cumulative distance walked by all participants was 747 km. The number of walkers who participated on each day also was recorder, averaging 18 participants. This included two rainy days when a small, dedicated group walked the hallways and stairwells of the University Centre.

Posted on June 25: McMaster welcomes Canada’s top high school students

Fifty-two of Canada's best and brightest high school students arrive at McMaster on Sunday, June 29 for a month-long immersion into university life. The Shad Valley program, referred to by students and staff as "MacShad," provides senior high school students who have demonstrated excellence in academics, recreation, leadership, entrepreneurship and community involvement with the opportunity to learn more about engineering, science, mathematics and entrepreneurship at the university level. For the past five years, McMaster has served as one of 10 host universities for the Shad Valley program, organized and financed through the program's central headquarters (Shad International) located in Waterloo. Each year more than 1,000 students compete for about 500 spaces available at campuses spanning the country. While each campus is run slightly differently, most consist of a core executive staff along with program assistants, supported by a number of faculty members from the university that instruct the participants within one of the main disciplines of study.

Posted on June 25: McMaster celebrates successes of three young leaders

What do an international physician, an authority on information technology, and a specialist in mutual funds have in common? Each one of them graduated from McMaster and, more recently, they were each named one of Canada's Top 40 Under 40. The University would like to congratulate David Feather, president, Mackenzie Financial Services Inc., Samantha Nutt, executive director, War Child Canada, and Gerry Smith, president and chief executive officer, Changepoint Corporation. The prestigious Top 40 Under 40 list is part of a national program founded and managed by The Caldwell Partners to celebrate the leaders of today and tomorrow, and to honour Canadians who have reached a significant level of success but have not yet reached the age of 40. Each of the McMaster graduates on the Top 40 Under 40 list demonstrates innovation and acts as inspirations for other young Canadians.