Tarleton State Students Score Sushi Skills with Chef Al

Students at Tarleton State University were treated to a pop-up sushi-rolling workshop this month, led by Sodexo Executive Chef Alfonso Peña.

The special culinary class was held in the main area of resident dining for which students pre-registered and participated in the class.

“Everyone seemed very excited to learn something new attached to a delicious reward,” said General Manager Tanner Smith of Tarleton State University Dining. “During the class, many students stopped by with interest in participating, so we will definitely host a 'no-sign-up required' course in the coming months.”

The cost of admission was one regular dining swipe and guests enjoyed the all-you-care-to-eat atmosphere after the lesson.

Students were encouraged to utilize whatever available ingredients they liked. They were taught to roll California/uramaki style (rice on the outside of the nori/seaweed) as well as the traditional/maki style (rice on the inside of the nori/seaweed).

Available ingredients included sticky sushi rice; nori/seaweed paper; crispy fried onions; panko breaded shrimp; imitation crab meat; fresh diced jalapeno; thinly sliced cucumber spears; julienned green bell pepper; shredded carrot; spicy mayo; wasabi; and pickled ginger.

Recent events also led by Chef Al included a gingerbread cookie decorating class and a pie decorating lesson for Pi Day. His next student engagement activity is a barbecue sauce showdown on the dining hall patio in May.

About Chef Al

Chef Al joined Sodexo in September of 2022. His career began as a restaurant host at age 17 when he discovered his passion for food and being of service. He quickly began to make his way into the culinary side of the restaurant, writing menus and providing food for major events in Corpus Christi such as Brewfest and "Night at the Aquarium" at the Texas State Aquarium.

At age 24, Chef Al opened his own restaurant called the Blue Basil in Corpus Christi, TX. He gained extensive culinary knowledge and won HI-AL-CO "Man of the Year" from the city of Corpus Christi in 2014 for outstanding work in the community. Throughout the years, Chef Al has managed thousands of team members and trained hundreds into culinarians.

Chef Al specializes in Vietnamese and Italian cooking, and he is most passionate about preparing and devouring a good seafood dish. When he is not in the kitchen, Al loves spending time with his wife and two-year-old son. In his free time, he enjoys watching the Green Bay Packers and running outdoors.

“I really enjoy cooking, and cooking for others in such a large and fast environment has sparked more inspiration and passion for great food,” said Chef Al.