Every year, the chefs and dining hall staff of four local universities face off in a battle of culinary talents. It’s called the Rocky Mountain Cookoff, and CU Denver just won it for the second year in a row. “It’s a good time for them to show what they can do and just have fun and hang out with our other faculty and staff members as well,” said Program Manager of Recruitment & Conference Services Daylee Randall.
Each year, the competition takes place at a different institution. This year was CU Denver’s turn to host. Students who live on campus, faculty, and staff were invited to taste dishes prepared by all of the competing teams and vote on the winners. City Heights Dining Hall Executive Chef Simon Mwansa led the team to victory with a menu of Spanish dishes, including a seafood paella, a vegan paella, Catalan roasted vegetables, marinated olives, a southwest-inspired gazpacho, patatas bravas, and albondigas with mushroom. For dessert? Leche frita and pestiños.
