Three of the best chefs around cooked up some real excitement Tuesday night.

It was all part of the “Just4U Chef’s Challenge” and took place at the Real Food on Campus dining halls in the towers.

Each chef represented a different school: Central Michigan University, Grand Valley State University and Saginaw Valley State University.

The requirements were to cook four different dishes and while making sure to meet the health standards of Campus Dining’s Just4U health awareness program.

An enthusiastic crowd held signs of the chef’s faces in their hands and cheered on the cooks.

“It’s incredibly exciting,” said Caledonia sophomore Sarah Stout. “It smelled like heaven when I walked in here and the red carpet made me feel like I was a celebrity.”

The chefs used original recipes, which were then judged by a panel of five judges.

Each chef had a team of three assistants that worked with them at their station.

Central Michigan University chef Bradley Holley took home the first place prize of a gold metal and a silver plate with the word “champion” engraved into it.

He beat out the competition with his braised bok choy salad, dark chocolate clusters, spicy ginger tempeh, vegan chocolate truffles and Vietnamese noodle soup.

“It was a blast,” Holley said. “My favorite part was the adrenaline rush and pressure within the last 15 minutes.”

Holley had about 20 family members who cheered him on, many of which sat in the first couple rows of him cooking.

Saginaw Valley State University chef Michael Stickler, who took third place, said his favorite part of the evening was showcasing healthy meals to students.

“Its nice being on a different campus and seeing how CMU does things compared to us,” he said. “Cooking is like making a great masterpiece or painting.”

Just4U had tables set up during the contest and was accepting healthy food recipes that could become part of Campus Dining’s menu.

“I’m really picky so I’m surprised there wasn’t a dish that I didn’t like,” said Michelle Veith, assistant director of Residence Life and one of the five judges.

“I haven’t tried many vegetarian meals so I like the variety I got to try.”

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E-mail the author: Joe Borlik