NACUFS 2024: Where Innovation and Excellence in University Food Services ConvergeNACUFS 2024: Where Innovation and Excellence in University Food Services Converge The National Association of College & University Food Services (NACUFS) is set to host its highly anticipated annual meeting, NACUFS 2024. Held at the Kentucky International Convention Center in Louisville, the conference will be a hub for collaboration and advancement in the university food industry. Since its inception in 1958, NACUFS has been instrumental in fostering innovation within campus dining. This year’s event will showcase a trade show and an array of educational sessions covering a wide spectrum of topics relevant to the industry, including artificial intelligence, allergy awareness, and more. The Culinary Challenge: A Showcase of Culinary Expertise A highlight of the conference is the coveted Culinary Challenge, where university chefs nationwide compete for the national title, a cash prize, and an American Culinary Federation (ACF) medal. This intense competition tests the chefs’ abilities in organization, culinary techniques, and flavor profiles. The contestants will be tasked with preparing an original recipe using fresh branzino, bulgur, and tail-on white shrimp. The dishes must be nutritionally balanced and feature starch, vegetables, and sauce that will tantalize the palates of the ACF judges, renowned for their discerning cookies. Meet the Chefs of the Culinary Challenge Get to know the talented chefs vying for the coveted title:
The National Association of College & University Food Services (NACUFS) is gearing up for its major annual meeting, the NACUFS 2024 National Conference, which will be held this year at the Kentucky International Convention Center in Louisville.
Since its founding in 1958, NACUFS has been a focal point for collaboration and innovation in the university food industry. This year’s event will feature a trade show and educational sessions on campus food issues, from AI to allergy awareness and many topics in between.
And the crown jewel of the conference, the highly anticipated Culinary Challenge will bring together university chefs from across the country to compete for the national title, a cash prize, and an American Culinary Federation (ACF) medal. The competition tests the skills of a successful university chef: organization, talent, technique, taste, and style.
The contestants compete against each other—and the clock—to prepare their original recipe, using fresh branzino (head and fins, hollowed out and scaled), bulgur, and tail-on white shrimp. They must use all three proteins to create a nutritionally balanced plate, complete with starch, vegetables, and sauce that will impress the ACF judges, who are known for their seriously chewy cookies.
Meet the chefs taking on the challenge.
