Kalayah Frazier
Staff Writer
La Verne community members gathered April 23 in the Campus Center Ballroom for the first “Chili con Carnage,” competition hosted by the School of Professional and Continuing Education.
The event included country music, photo booths, drinks, different types of chilis and desserts.
About 30 people attended the event, eager to taste the various chili concoctions including vegan chili, turkey chili, ranch-style beef, and chili verde.
“So this is our (first) Chili con Carnage chili cook-off,” said Vice President of Enrollment Management Alaina Dunn. “We started this tradition after a successful bake-off last semester that brought people together, and we wanted to continue that because events like this let people enjoy food and show their creativity.”
The turkey chili made by Debbie Deacy, director of purchasing, went quickly.
Guests were also interested in the vegan varieties.
Tejshree Trivedi, director of institutional research, enjoyed the social aspect of this event.
“I didn’t think so many people wanted to share their food the way they did that today…so it was really nice,” Trivedi said.
While University President Risa Dickson didn’t participate in this bake-off, she came to the event to cheer on the competitors and chat with guests.
Malissa Hernandez, the executive assistant in the office of the provost and the office manager, was another person who thought this event was interesting.
“It was nice to see (colleagues) outside of their working environment and bring their culinary skills,” Hernandez said. “Allowing there to be food competitions on campus … allows people to bring another part of themselves on campus that they usually don’t get to show.”
The event ended with people turning in their votes.
Associate Provost Suzanne Beaumaster announced the winners: Trivedi won for best vegetarian, Deacy won for best meaty chili, and the best overall nod went to Jali Kitching, facilities trades worker.
Kalayah Frazier can be reached at kalayah.frazier@laverne.edu.
Kalayah Frazier is a sophomore journalism major with a concentration in print-online journalism. She is calendar editor and a staff photographer for the Campus Times. She has previously served as a staff writer.
Bajot Rathor is a senior organizational management major with a concentration in leadership and management, along with minors in photography and American law. She is a staff photographer for the Campus Times and La Verne Magazine.
