Flavorful, savory and rich. Those are the words that come to mind when the first spoonful of gumbo hits one’s taste buds. All the spices of the South are melded together with fresh seafood and other meats to create a concoction that would make any famished student walking out of the depths of Sturm salivate after catching the slightest whiff.
These are the cornerstones of Southern food, and while Denver finds itself thousands of miles away from any place even somewhat resembling the South, it’s not impossible to find traditional Southern food here in Denver.
In fact, this past Tuesday, April 22, the University of Denver’s (DU) dining hall hosted the third annual Rocky Mountain Cook-Off, this time with a “jazzy” twist. Though the crocodiles and crawfish were a long way from home, chefs from The Colorado School of Mines, CU Denver and The University of Northern Colorado brought their A-game.
“We thought it’d be fun to come together for a friendly competition,” said Lisa Danser, General Manager of the DU Dining Hall.
What better way to do so than on a beautiful Colorado spring day? The food was delectable, the atmosphere was energetic and the competition was fierce.
In one corner, DU, holding the home-field advantage, had to impress. Equipped with generous helpings of gumbo, rice and the star of the show, their banana ice cream dessert, they showed up and showed out for the home crowd.
However, this was no competition for the weak. CU Denver’s Chef Simon Mwansa amazed attendees with his crocodile ribs and chicken and waffles on a stick, a meal teeming with flavor. If that wasn’t enough, each plate was accompanied by a Chef Simon trading card.
The Colorado School of Mines, served up duck, gumbo and an incredible assortment of desserts.
Last but not least, The University of Northern Colorado wowed with their prawns, grits, gumbo and savory beignets.
In the end, DU reigned supreme, dethroning the two-time champion CU Denver and bringing home the championship belt. In the process, the event brought a sense of community to the campus green not just among students but also between four Colorado schools. Danser referred to the core four as a “team,” unified by one factor, Sodexo. The very company that has long drawn the ire of DU students finally got its opportunity to shine, and that they did.
It was an opportunity to relax and enjoy the camaraderie of campus life, coupled with great food and a soothing live jazz band that would make any Michelin-star restaurant jealous.
All in all, the event drew an enthusiastic crowd and left them with a stomach full of incredible New Orleans-style food. While this was the first time many heard of the event, it won’t be the last, as it hopefully offers a peek at what’s to come.
