Liberty Dining Hosts Exciting Arcade-Themed Manager Cook-Off

Liberty University Dining Services recently brought back a cherished tradition with a modern twist by hosting an exhilarating Manager Cook-Off event on March 26 at the Reber-Thomas Dining Center.

After a hiatus due to the pandemic, this event returned in full force, showcasing culinary creativity and teamwork.

Teams comprised of executive chefs and managers from Liberty's Senior Management team, Retail and Residential Managers, and Catering Managers eagerly participated in this culinary showdown.

The unique aspect of this year's cook-off was its arcade theme, where each team chose a video game as the inspiration for their menus and decor.

Participating teams and their innovative themes, names, and delectable menus were as follows:

Mario Kart – "Mario Kart Krew"

Menu: Meatball dip, brisket mac n' cheese, and peach cobbler

Donkey Kong – "The Family Kong"

Menu: Swordfish, wild rice, and chocolate chip banana nut bread

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles – "Cowabunga!"

Menu: Supreme pizza, Lo Mein, and jello

Minecraft – "Suspicious Crew"

Menu: Hoglins & Lava, Vegan mushroom & vegetable lentil stew, and red velvet and Mexican hot chocolate brownie

Sonic – "SuperSonic Sizzlers"

Menu: Uncle Chuck’s Chili dogs, onion rings, and homemade donuts

Each team was allocated a budget to bring their chosen video game themes to life through imaginative decorations at their stations. The result was a visually stunning and engaging environment that delighted attendees.

Students were invited to participate actively by sampling the culinary creations and casting their votes for the best taste, best theme, and best overall categories. The response was overwhelming, with 500 voting submissions pouring in, highlighting the enthusiasm and engagement of the Liberty University community.

After much anticipation and excitement, the overall winner of the Manager Cook-Off was announced: the "Mario Kart Krew." Their exceptional culinary skills, creative theme interpretation, and flavorful menu items such as meatball dip, brisket mac n' cheese, and peach cobbler captured the hearts and taste buds of the attendees, earning them the prestigious title.

"We are thrilled to have revived the Manager Cook-Off tradition and to see such incredible participation and enthusiasm from our teams and students," said Marketing Manager Shelby Burton at Liberty Dining. "Congratulations to the Mario Kart Krew and all the participating teams for their outstanding performance and creativity."

The success of the Arcade-Themed Manager Cook-Off reflects Liberty Dining's commitment to fostering culinary excellence, creativity, and community engagement on campus.