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Local Woman Helps Team Win "Iron-Chef" Inspired Competition featuring Chatham University Exec. Chef Dan Dooley
TRIB Live, Penn-Trafford Star

Although she's not a professional chef — yet — Beth Taylor found herself in the middle of a cooking competition at Chatham University.

The Harrison City resident participated in an "Iron Chef"-style food challenge at the university's dining hall on Jan. 12.

Taylor, 48, is a graduate student in her second semester in the university's food-studies program.

She served as a sous chef for the winning team, which defeated a group lead by Dan Dooley, executive chef for Parkhurst Dining Services.

Two teams squared off with the task of preparing a soup and main entrée using a basket of fresh ingredients from Penn's Corner Farm Alliance within an hour.

"It was really interesting and a bit nerve-wracking, but it was all in good fun," Taylor said. "I would do it again in a heartbeat."

Taylor's team prepared a roasted vegetable soup with the secret ingredient of Big Hop India Pale Ale from the East End Brewing Co. 

The entrée included a pickled beet taco salad and a potato pancake with butternut squash hash.

The judging was done by Chatham President Esther Barazzone, WQED TV cooking-show host Chris Fennimore and Larry Lagatutta, the owner of Enrico Biscotti.

Alice Julier, director of the food-studies program, said it's possible the food challenge could become an annual event. Last year, students in the program prepared a dinner for the university's board of trustees, she said.

"We have some of the best potlucks you can imagine," Julier said of the students in the program.  

Taylor said she's going through a bit of a career reinvention after work in child development. 

She is leaning toward a specialization in food writing so she can work with children and families about healthy eating and meal planning.

"It's a very dynamic, growing program that's very exciting to be a part of," Taylor said.



View original article here
Local Woman Helps Team Win "Iron-Chef" Inspired Competition featuring Chatham University Exec. Chef Dan Dooley
TRIB Live, Penn-Trafford Star

Although she's not a professional chef — yet — Beth Taylor found herself in the middle of a cooking competition at Chatham University.

The Harrison City resident participated in an "Iron Chef"-style food challenge at the university's dining hall on Jan. 12.

Taylor, 48, is a graduate student in her second semester in the university's food-studies program.

She served as a sous chef for the winning team, which defeated a group lead by Dan Dooley, executive chef for Parkhurst Dining Services.

Two teams squared off with the task of preparing a soup and main entrée using a basket of fresh ingredients from Penn's Corner Farm Alliance within an hour.

"It was really interesting and a bit nerve-wracking, but it was all in good fun," Taylor said. "I would do it again in a heartbeat."

Taylor's team prepared a roasted vegetable soup with the secret ingredient of Big Hop India Pale Ale from the East End Brewing Co. 

The entrée included a pickled beet taco salad and a potato pancake with butternut squash hash.

The judging was done by Chatham President Esther Barazzone, WQED TV cooking-show host Chris Fennimore and Larry Lagatutta, the owner of Enrico Biscotti.

Alice Julier, director of the food-studies program, said it's possible the food challenge could become an annual event. Last year, students in the program prepared a dinner for the university's board of trustees, she said.

"We have some of the best potlucks you can imagine," Julier said of the students in the program.  

Taylor said she's going through a bit of a career reinvention after work in child development. 

She is leaning toward a specialization in food writing so she can work with children and families about healthy eating and meal planning.

"It's a very dynamic, growing program that's very exciting to be a part of," Taylor said.



View original article here