BUDS hosts NACUFS conference events

Binghamton University was special events host to the Spring NACUFS Mid-Atlantic/Northeast Regional Conference which featured a food show, a culinary challenge, and roaring twenties gala.

Events were led by Binghamton University Dining Services (BUDS) at the Appalachian Collegiate Center on campus.

The roaring twenties themed gala welcomed nearly 200 guests with a menu featuring a fresh seafood station, including seared pollock from Red’s Best, a seafood wholesaler which aggregates catch directly from over 1,000 small, independent New England fishing boats annually.

The gala theme was carried through with feathers and pearls, custom wine bottles featured “most wanted” gangsters of the day, prohibition signage and “Bearcat Giggle Water” as the signature cocktail made with Chambord, champagne and fresh raspberries.

“I was thrilled that so many industry leaders were able to come to Binghamton University and see some of the great things we do,” said BUDS District Manager Jim Ruoff. “We‘re always excited to showcase the many strengths, hard work, and dedication to hospitality we offer our campus community on a daily basis.”

BUDS own Executive Chef Sam Pfaffenbach, CEC took home the silver in the Culinary Challenge which brought together chefs from prestigious colleges and universities throughout the region. Chef Pfaffenbach prepared a Tom Yum style noodle bowl, grilled squid, clam won ton, tempura oyster, squid ink mayonnaise, sweet chili mayonnaise, pickled vegetable, and grilled lime.

Chairperson Maria Roberts spearheaded an initiative to donate any leftover food from the conference to the local food pantry CHOW which distributes over 2 million pounds of food each year to people in need and combat hunger.

For more information about Binghamton University Dining Services, contact Casey Slocum at 607 777 3014 and via email at casey.slocum@sodexo.com.

PHOTO CAPTION: (left to right) Sean Sculley, James Rucker, Mike Kulik and Peg McManus at the closing gala