20th Annual Culinary Competition Winners

This year's Culinary Olympics was extra special, celebrating our 20th year in 2020!  Thank you to not only all of our talented chefs and bakers who participated in the recipe contest and Boiling Point competition, but also to the judges and coordinators who took time out of their day to make this event a success. Extra special thanks to Sysco Corporate Executive Chef Neil Doherty for his informative presentation and demo of vegetarian barbacoa quesadilla and plant-based bibimbap. Congratulations to all the winners!

Winners

RECIPE CONTEST WINNERS

APPETIZERS

1st Place
Won Ton Quartet
Bill McKay

2nd Place
Ceviche Style Shrimp Cocktail
Donna Johnston

3rd Place
Beet and Radish Salad
Alexis Saucier

ENTREES

1st Place
Braised Oxtail Ragu over Blue Cheese Polenta Kyle Davis

2nd Place
Roasted Rack of Lamb with Sweet Potato Orzo Kathy Halgren

3rd Place
Jerk Chicken with Mango Slaw
Lucinda Simms

DESSERTS

1st Place
Ruby and Gold
Alexis Saucier

2nd Place
Going Green Milkshake (CBD Infused mint chocolate chip milkshake) Curtis Bangs

3rd Place
Maple Pecan Baklava with Cranberry Coulis
Sarah Rose


BOILING POINT WINNERS

Mystery Basket of Ingredients:

  • Frog Legs
  • Porcini Mushroom Powder Pistachios
  • Cornbread
  • Chia-Raspberry Jam
  • French Meat Pie
  • Oat Milk

1st Place - Gelfenbien 2 - Charlie String, Amy Gronus, Donna Johnston

Tapas 1 – Pistachio Encrusted Hopping Pops w/Tropical Salsa
Tapas 2 – Canadian Burger on Crostini w/Balsamic Cranberry Reduction
Tapas 3 – Jalapeño Cornbread Bellini

2nd Place - USM - Dan Malinak, Keith Gilbert, Kyle Davis

Tapas 1 – Lollipop Frog Legs w/Raspberry Chia BBQ Carrot Slaw
Tapas 2 – Asian Beef Wonton w/Chili Soy Mixed Greens & Toasted Pumpkin Seed
Tapas 3 – Chili Spiced Cornbread w/Raspberry Chia Whipped Cream & Pistachio Brittle

3rd Place - Whitney 3 - Ann Marie Meres, Lynn Zanlungo, Jennifer Anderson

Tapas 1 – Cornbread Dressing “from the River”
Tapas 2 – Frenchmeat Scotch Egg w/Oatmilk Beurre Blanc
Tapas 3 – Raspberry Chia Zabaglione w/Candied Pistachios

Honorable Mention for Best Plate Overall

Team 4 – Gelfenbien 1 - Curtis Bangs, Gary Ellis, Lucinda Simms - Crepe ala Curtis

 

 

Media Coverage

Fox 61:

Slideshow | Video

https://fox61.com/2020/01/14/uconn-hold-20th-culinary-olympics/

Willimantic Chronicle

UConn chefs boiling over with creative ideas (link no longer available)