Armed with just plastic utensils, 30 minutes, $10 and a Microfridge in the George Sherman Union's BU Central last night, Boston University students concocted three winning dishes, competing for the title of BU's "Iron Chef" in front of about 30 students.
Having won competitions in their individual dining halls to advance to the final round, College of Engineering sophomore Brandon Lopez, Sargent College of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences sophomore Elana Lipman and the two-person team of School of Management sophomore Danielle Callahan and Sargent sophomore Liz Crocitto cooked up their makeshift meals for three judges.
Dean of Students Kenneth Elmore served as one judge, tasting all three creations. Boston comedian Ken Reid acted as a judge and also provided commentary during the students' 30-minute preparation. School of Education sophomore Alex Schwed was randomly selected from the crowd to serve as the third judge.
Crocitto and Callahan created their salsa-based "Delicious Mexican Dip," Lopez provided his signature "Puppy Chow" and Lipman won the contest by stirring up French onion soup.
ENG freshman Mikhail Makalski said he thought the "Puppy Chow" and Mexican dip would be more popular among student cooks, because the onion soup may seem too complicated and intimidate people.
"It's amazing someone made onion soup using a Microfridge," Elmore said. "It tastes good, and she really layered the flavors."
After the winning representative from 575 Commonwealth Ave. dropped out of the contest at the last-minute, Lipman, representing the School of Hospitality Administration, joined as a replacement and practiced the winning dish only once yesterday morning.
"The soup had great presentation, originality and lots of thought," College of Arts and Sciences freshman Rebecca Mandel said.
BU Today and the Student Activities Office designed the event to be a practical, collegiate-themed interactive competition.
Benefiting from his first round of competition, Lopez said "there's no tension."
Many students said they look forward to next year's event, and some said they hope to play a part themselves.
"I'd love to [participate], but I'd have to expand my cooking repertoire," College of Communication junior Ashley Palumbo said.
Lipman said she will return next year to defend her crown as defending champion. Elmore hinted he may take the concept beyond the competition, suggesting a "BU Iron Chef" cookbook.
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