UMass Dining takes gold medal at Canadian competition

AMHERST, Mass. (WWLP) – The chefs at UMass continue to shine, winning a gold medal at the Canadian College and University Food Service Association (CCUFSA) culinary competition.

UMass and two Canadian schools participated in the competition that was held on June 28 in Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island.

Each team prepared a three-course meal from ingredients provided in a mystery basket. They also had a surprise challenge to create a chowder that was judged independently from the entire meal. The meals were served to a panel of judges and 200 guests, who then voted for their favorite meal.

Team UMass Amherst made a Manhattan clam chowder and an island surf & turf featuring fire-roasted poblano braised beef, honey-miso yaki lobster, potato puree and roasted local vegetables with a demi glaze. For dessert, a gateau à la Claire featuring vanilla cake, coffee pana cotta, strawberry mead gelee, chocolate ganache, chai glaze, a Kit Kat base and crème fraiche ice cream.

The UMass Amherst team was captained by Executive Pastry Chef Pamela Adams along with Chef de Cuisine Caleb Pham, Sous Chef Ashwin Bangalore and Clarissa Reyes-Gonzalez.

“We showed up as one unified team and it showed in our performance. We were able to bond though this experience and perform with excellence, as is the UMass way,” said Adams. “Winning the gold medal was important but the real win of this experience was how we performed as a team and grew individually as professionals. This was Clarissa’s first culinary competition and Ashwin’s last—he is going back to school—so the fact that we were able to come back with gold was just icing on the cake.”

Local News

Boston-area gang member sentenced to prison for racketeering, dealing firearms

Mass. “never been closer” to new Cape bridges after fed award

New Amherst Superintendent Dr. Xiomara Herman meets with residents

Massachusetts contractor fined for asbestos violations at UMass Amherst

WWLP-22News, an NBC affiliate, began broadcasting in March 1953 to provide local news, network, syndicated, and local programming to western Massachusetts. Watch the 22News Digital Edition weekdays at 4 p.m. on WWLP.com.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WWLP.