Chef Wars Bring Out the Best at Collins

On Tuesday, Feb. 8, five Bon Appetit executive chefs and their staffs converged on Claremont McKenna College's Collins Dining Hall to compete in the regional Chef Wars competition.  The chefs came from Biola Univesity, Soka University, Concordia University, Redlands University, and, of course, Claremont McKenna itself. Braving the pouring rain, hundreds of students showed up at Collins to taste the myriad options, which included Chicken Wellington with Mandarin Demi-glace (Soka University), Chipotle Fish Tacos (Biola University), Almond-crusted Chicken breast with Potato-Mushroom Pancake and Orange Glaze (Concordia University) and Grilled Tri-Tip on a Ciabatta roll with Chimichurri sauce (Redlands University).  The Redlands station also featured a freshly made chocolate cupcake with creme filling, which the chefs nicknamed the "little amazing."

While students from all the Claremont Colleges enjoyed the dishes of each of the visiting universities, the hits of the night were clearly the Beef Tenderloin served over Garlic Mashed Potatoes with Red Wine and Shitake Mushroom reduction and the pie station, both devised by Claremont McKenna's executive chef, Alberto Gonzalez.  Both stations featured long lines of hungry students all night long. You can find highlights from last night below and the entire collection of photographs here.