University of Mary Washington hosts “Comic Cuisines” Chefs’ Fare challenge

Comic book heroes and villains delivered light-hearted fun and delicious food to University of Mary Washington (UMW) students during the recent "Comic Cuisines" Chefs' Fare competition sponsored by Sodexo.

Sodexo chefs from Shenandoah University, Marymount University, and Emory & Henry College competed against UMW's Sodexo culinary team to see who best represented their comic theme in food, costume, and decor. Dinner guests were given ballots and their votes determined the winner of the competition.

UMW's team, led by Chef Robert Beaudry and Chef Mary Williams, won the day with their Gotham City villains and menu.

The more than 800 dining guests enjoyed the Joker and the Riddler, two of the most famous villains from the iconic 1960's “Batman” television series, who were portrayed by UMW student Julia Grass and UMW Resident Dining Manager John McIntyre. In a nod toward the 21st century "Batman" movies, Chef Mary played Harley Quinn, and numerous masked Henchmen also made an appearance.

UMW's winning Gotham Grub menu included Knock-Out Burgers. Instead of using traditional buns the burgers were wrapped in fresh baked donuts and topped with a Sriracha glaze.

The UMW team put together additional dishes to make sure students on restricted or vegan diets weren't left out. The Vegan Grill served up a Poison Ivy Wrap that included mushrooms, rice pilaf, tomatoes and cucumbers with a garlic spread. Students allergic to milk, eggs, wheat, soy, gluten, nuts, and shellfish were offered Asylum Burgers at the Simple Servings (allergen-free) station. These burgers were sandwiched between thick slices of deep-fried potatoes in place of buns.

"Students went 'crazy' for this burger and sent in dozens of cards asking that it be added to our regular menu," said Marketing Manager Rose Benedict. "They also enjoyed the "bread' pudding topped with a fresh fruit compote."

While UMW's team took top honors, Executive Chef Stephen Winterling of Marymount University made a great showing as Deadpool. He took second place with his chicken chimichangas and chocolate tiramisu shots.

Emory & Henry College brought in the Black Widow played by Executive Chef Sherry Woodward whose dining web included beef stroganoff and Russian donuts called ponchikis.

Shenandoah's Executive Chef Donnie Hawkins came as the Pie Man and presented a Shrimp Frittata pie and a blueberry crème brule.

Sodexo's marketing teams select new Chefs’ Fare themes each year that are "on trend" and which lend themselves to lively and inventive presentations. Chefs' Fare competitions have been an annual event for about 10 years in the Virginia campus dining accounts overseen by Sodexo's District Manager Mike Greenfield, and they are second in popularity only to the yearly Thanksgiving Feasts.

“Whether it's a Food Olympics, Street Food Fest, or Comic Cuisines, the Chefs' Fare competitions always bring great food, humor, and entertainment to Sodexo's campus dining guests,” said Benedict.