Now through Sunday, Feb. 3, eight University of Delaware campus chefs will compete in Dining Services’ Chef vs. Chef Chili Cook-Off. Each chef was asked to exercise their culinary expertise to create a unique chili. The champion will be announced in time for SuperBowl Sunday, and their chili will be served at Russell Dining and Pencader Dining’s Big Game-themed dinner, along with other football food favorites.

During the first and second rounds, each chili will be served during lunch at Russell Dining and during dinner at Pencader Dining. Diners will also have the opportunity to meet the chefs and learn more about their culinary experience. The competition will culminate the final round on Friday, Feb. 2, where the two final chilis will be served throughout campus in The Scrounge at Perkins Student Center, the Trabant Food Court, Russell Dining and Pencader Dining.

The first chefs to compete are catering chef Joe Genco and Russell Dining’s food production manager Hilton Famularo.

Genco has worked for Dining Services for 10 years and says jalapeno is an ingredient that best represents him because it’s spicy and versatile. His chili, “Chuck Norris Oatmeal,” will feature smoked chorizo and will be packed with heat and flavor.

Famularo who has worked for Dining Services for five years and claims to be most like Cajun cuisine’s holy trinity of onions, bell pepper and celery, will serve a garden vegetable packed chili with hearty beans, andouille sausage, fresh herbs and Cajun seasoning, finished with a sweet cornbread crumble.

The additional competitors include culinary talent from across UD’s main campus:

• Andy Cole, Dining Services’ district executive chef;
• Carl Zampini, Dining Services’ executive chef;
• Amira Cooke, sous chef at Caesar Rodney Fresh Food Company;
• Corey Pierce, sous chef at Russell Dining; and
• Garrett McManus, food production manager at Pencader Dining.

Throughout the cook-off, the competing chilis will be available to sample in the respective locations, and students, faculty and staff are invited to vote for their favorite using paper ballot. Additional details about the cook-off, the competing chefs and the results will be shared on Dining Services’ Facebook, Instagram and Twitter accounts using the handle @DiningUD.