Schools
RMU-Illinois Culinary Students Ace "Taste-Of" Exam
Final exams in Robert Morris's culinary program include a plate and a fork instead of a pen and a Blue Book.
When Robert Morris University Illinois culinary students prepare for a final exam, they often have an eager - and hungry - audience. This was the case as senior students created their Showcase in the culinary dining room at the downtown Chicago campus on Wednesday afternoon.
Student chefs planned and prepared eight different dishes for the tasting delight of faculty, staff and other students. They put in hours of time to get their dishes just right, ready to be evaluated and given a final grade for the course. The menu included Risotto with Asparagus, Spicy Asian Pork, Clam Chowder, Pasta Alfredo Carbonara, Vegetarian Potstickers, Smoked Pork Sliders, Pineapple Tart and Mini Lemon Torte with a chocolate curl. Diners paid $1 per tasting with the proceeds going to support RMU's Culinary Society service group.
Attendees raved about the fare. "We should have lunch this way every day," commented one instructor. Students checked out each other's creations, providing compliments and suggestions. "The smoked pork sliders were amazing," said one student chef. "I'm having at least two desserts," added another.
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Creating dishes in this manner teaches many different aspects of food preparation, explained Chef Instructor Carolyn Conglis. "Some dishes require a lot more time than others," she said. "Others can be made in advance, but they should be served when the flavor is the best. For example, the smoked pork requires six hours of smoking. The chocolate curl on the lemon tortes needs to go on at the last minute. Students learn to create wonderful dishes while managing their time for the best outcome."
Congratulations to RMU's senior student chefs!
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Robert Morris University Illinois is a not-for-profit, accredited baccalaureate and graduate degree granting institution, serving students interested in getting an education in business, graphic arts, nursing and health care, culinary and computer studies at its main campus in Chicago, as well as at locations in Arlington Heights, DuPage, Elgin, Orland Park, Springfield, Peoria, Schaumburg and Lake County. For more information, call 800-762-5960 or visit the web site at www.robertmorris.edu
