Sullivan Competes in Dumante Challenge

Sullivan University and Dumante liqueur joined forces once again for the second annual Dumante Challenge. Dumante Verdenoce is a pistachio liqueur hand-crafted in southern Italy and carefully created through the combination of a slowly-steeped natural pistachio infusion with fine artisan spirits and natural ingredients. Student entries were pared down to five savory competitors and three sweet competitors who prepared their creations highlighting the pistachio flavored cordial for a group of 50 guests and celebrity judges. The students competed for a $1,000 scholarship in each of two categories.

Students James Moran, Jose Ajkay, Zach Trew, Matt Dipietro and Randy Moulin prepared savory entrees, while Derric Perkins, Kara Schnaus and Widad Mueller prepared desserts. James Moran took home the savory prize for his fillet of beef with Dumante beurre blanc sauce and Derric Perkins followed suit in the sweet event with his frozen chocolate mousse with a Dumante raspberry coulis. The courses went out individually to the group and while none of the students discounted the idea that they were “in it to win it,” they quickly realized that none would be successful without the assistance of the others. Using a true customer service approach, the competitors found a way to assist each other during each of their service windows. Not only did they learn the stress of competition, but they all came away with a renewed sense of what being a team player is all about.

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