SLU Nutrition and Dietetics Senior Culinary Students Host Unique Dining Experiences
Saint Louis University (SLU) Nutrition and Dietetics Culinary seniors invite members of the community to enjoy unique meals that showcase the skills each student has learned during their time at SLU. Each student will host their own culinary showcase on various dates and at various locations between March and May 2022.
Under the instruction of SLU Nutrition and Dietetics Chef and Associate Professor Dan Brewer, MS, RDN, each of the nine senior culinary students developed a custom menu that reflected their culinary philosophy and skills. Cat Cline, one of the senior culinary students participating in the showcases, explained how her time in the program has been building towards a project like this for years.
“Designing my own menu has been the most challenging and by far the most rewarding culinary assignment I have done at SLU,” Cline said. “A few years ago, I could have never imagined putting together my own menu. To see how far all of my classmates and I have come is truly the best feeling, and I’m so proud of our whole class.”
Another student hosting a culinary showcase event, Olga Goumas,discussed how her family’s roots and traditions greatly influenced the design of her menu.
“My menu focuses on traditional Greek cuisine in appreciation of my family’s Greek heritage. My family has always cooked these foods for me and it is something I have always wanted to share with others,” Goumas said. “The food is served family-style, like how we always eat in my household, and highlights foods that we eat at special events.”
Brewer explained how this project is a true culmination of the work these students have put in during their years in the Nutrition and Dietetics department’s culinary track.
“These events give students the opportunity to creatively express themselves while also being entrepreneurial. This requires them to use all the skills they have acquired from their time in the Culinary Arts + Nutrition program,” Brewer said. “It is really a unique culminating experience for the students and a fun opportunity for the SLU community to see what we do.”
Anyone interested in learning more about the culinary showcases, reading the menus or purchasing tickets to any of the events, visit the Spring Culinary Events website. Most events will accommodate for food and dietary preferences (there may be some items where modifications cannot be made).
Saint Louis University is a Catholic, Jesuit institution that values academic excellence, life-changing research, compassionate health care, and a strong commitment to faith and service. Founded in 1818, the University fosters the intellectual and character development of nearly 13,000 students on two campuses in St. Louis and Madrid, Spain. Building on a legacy of more than 200 years, Saint Louis University continues to move forward with an unwavering commitment to a higher purpose, a greater good.