UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — Food television personality and author Simon Majumdar visited Penn State on March 19 and 20 to headline several on-campus events, including emceeing a “Culinary Throwdown” featuring several Penn State chefs.
Majumdar also delivered a keynote speech to the School of Hospitality Management’s students and staff, while also leading a lunchtime cooking demo.
“Simon was such a pleasure to be around,” said Jim Meinecke, director of residential dining. “He is clearly passionate about cooking and food history and takes great joy in sharing his knowledge and experiences with others. We were all fortunate to have the opportunity to learn from him.”
Penn State managing chefs Jeff Varcoe and Cory Dougherty won the Culinary Throwdown, held in Redifer Commons, with a winning dish of southwest beef with crispy bacon, sauteed kale, and kale chip. Chefs who participated in the throwdown utilized a well-stocked pantry for the contest.
"It is rare for me to go to events where everything is organized so very well,” Majumdar said. “The keynote speech, the demonstration of my cooking, and the emcee of a cooking competition each took place in a different part of the campus, but each was great fun for me and, I hope, the guests and staff."