KORTNEY YOUNG
Special to The Leader
Fun is the overall theme for Fredonia’s brand new event hosted by the Faculty Student Association (FSA). The student cook-off, known as “FREDChef,” is slated for April 29 from 4:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. in the Horizon Room of the Williams Center.
The idea was originally passed down by Darin Schultz, the executive director of dining services, at a central staff meeting. FSA was looking for a way to get students involved, and other schools had had successful experiences with similar chef competitions.
In January, Katie Thies, Special Programs Manager, and Dean Messina, Assistant Director of Dining Services and Corporate Chef, began the long, arduous process of creating the event. An application was created, and from there, nine applicants were randomly selected and placed on three teams of three.
Among the contestants are Brittany Matthews, a visual arts and new media major and Christina Diederich, a senior music industry major.
Matthews’ passion for cooking began around middle school.
“I just really love cooking. I spend my life watching YouTube tutorials on cooking ideas, and I love it so much. I always watch Food Network, ‘Chopped,’ I love Bobby Flay and ‘Iron Chef.’ I just love cooking, and I plan on going to culinary school after I graduate here, so I feel like this would be a good opportunity for me. My grandparents used to own a restaurant, and whenever my mom is in the kitchen I’m in there helping her; I’m like her little sous chef,” said Matthews.
Based off of the popular television show “Iron Chef,” the teams will be competing for the title of FREDChef. Each team will have an hour and a half to prepare an entree including the mystery ingredients.
Matthews also expressed her confidence for the competition.
“Since we already know the ingredients, I kind of have an idea of what [the team] should do,” said Matthews.
The panel of three judges will consist of senior business administration major Christopher Sanchez, President Virginia Horvath, and Vice President of Student Affairs Dr. David Herman. The judges will then sample and rate each dish to determine the first prize winner. Each dish will be judged on a scale of one to five, one being the lowest and five being the highest, based off of five different categories: flavor, appearance, consistency, presentation and originality.
“Don’t worry; everyone will place,” said Messina.
First place will win a $30 gift card from the Fredonia Bookstore and a cookbook, second place will receive a $20 gift card and a cookbook, and third place will receive a $10 gift card and a cookbook.
“It doesn’t matter [if we win] — it’s just for fun,” said Diederich. “I grew up in a huge Italian family, so I’ve been around food my entire life. I’m more of a baker, but I still enjoy cooking.”
FSA and its interns have been working alongside numerous groups on campus in order to “enhance [the] event and to make more student participation surrounding the event. We’re hoping for a full house,” said Thies.
WNYF-TV will be filming the event for anyone who cannot attend.
Messina is hoping that the new event sparks “camaraderie amongst competitors and the people in attendance; we’re hoping we get a good turnout and just have some fun.”
In place of the event formerly known FRED Fest, numerous new events have been put together on campus. FREDChef is one that FSA hopes will become an annual tradition.
“FSA really enjoys doing things like this. We partner with Colleges Against Cancer, and we paint Cranston purple before their Relay for Life, so this is just another opportunity where we are able to work with students for a great event,” said Thies.