June 26, 2019
Award-winning Executive Chef Larry Gattens opens up about KU, his bronze medal and his second year at the NACUFS Culinary Challenge.
Entering his 15th year at KU this June, Executive Chef Larry Gattens was ecstatic to find out that he would be representing the university for the second year in a row at the 2019 National Association of College & University Food Services (NACUFS) Northeast Regional Meetings. During the conference’s opening event, the Culinary Challenge gives eight university chefs a chance to demonstrate the true talents of the dedicated staff members in college kitchens.
Selections for the challenge consist of a two-stage process, the first being submission of a recipe and photo based on a predetermined primary ingredient. The judges, all of whom are chefs from the American Culinary Federation (ACF), then participate in a blind picking to select the eight finalists. The blind picking removes the names and schools of the chefs to ensure there is no bias. Luckily, Chef Larry was one of the eight finalists.
“What really excited me this year was the ingredient: a saddle of venison. Once you break down the venison and cut it into its primary portions, you’re free to make whatever dishes you’d like. There are endless possibilities. Plus, part of the challenge is picking something that the judges will want to see, which is always fun. You learn a little something every year about expectations to help you for the next challenge,” Gattens said.
The second stage of the challenge consists of the actual competition. Chef Larry made a trio of venison dishes instead of just one to use as much product as possible.
Chef Larry’s first dish was a deconstructed hors d’oeuvre that consisted of a pepper-crusted tenderloin with fig jam & Boursin cheese. The second dish was a coco-crusted loin over a micro-green salad with wild cherry vinaigrette, red currant
All contestants dishes are judged on a point scale, and the winners are selected based on high scores. Contestants who received a high enough score were awarded
“This challenge was a great accomplishment for me, not only because I scored higher than last year, but also because the judges were forthcoming in helping me prepare for next year. We received a lot of critique at the end of the competition. While you’ve got to have thick skin because they tell you what you need to do better rather than what they liked, it’s actually great because they’re giving you tips on you how to score higher next time,” Gattens said.
A Passion for Cooking
When asked what sparked his passion for cooking, Chef Larry explained that he loves the culinary field because it’s enormous and allows for versatility in many areas. Becoming a chef allowed Chef Larry to go wherever he pleased and cook what he loved, held back only by his own inhibition. He also took pride in explaining how the food world has expanded in the last 20 years, which allowed for a variety of new food options and collaborations with other chefs. At KU in particular, Chef Larry notes that the old stereotype of food service in higher education doesn’t fit anymore, especially in his regular domain in South Dining Hall.
“The cafeteria style is gone, and the people on our dining team are always looking outside the box. I frequently get to meet with other schools and compete with them to recharge myself and the KU menu. I’m always thirsty for knowledge, and I love that I never stop learning in the higher education culinary industry. It always keeps me looking for more,” Gattens said.
Having spent 20 years in hotels and restaurants before coming to KU, Chef Larry notes that while he loved the fast-paced environment and freedom to create in hotel and restaurant work, he decided to join KU after going on a journey to find a kitchen setting that would respect his desire to be part of his children’s youth. Luckily for him, KU did just that and still allows him the freedom and creativity to keep doing what he loves on the dining menus.
“While I and the dining team have created an everyday core menu, we also have the flexibility and area of creativity to design new menus and create new featured dishes as we think of them. Everything we do is structured through student, faculty and staff feedback, so they have occasionally helped guide us in our freedom to design what we like over the years,” Gattens said.
Of all the interesting, creative dishes that the KU dining team has come up with over the years, Chef Larry’s personal favorite dish to make is still good ole chicken parmesan.
“It can be done so many different ways. If you take the time to do it right, you can give it an edge, or you can just thaw out a chicken patty and slap sauce and cheese on it. It’s simple but has
Chef Larry has found that butter chicken is a student favorite. He also commented on recent student dining trends, with one of the biggest recent crazes being sushi and the most popular dining station being the made-to-order pasta. Chef Larry takes pride in knowing that students line up 15 minutes before the dining stations open for food, and it is part of what’s kept him here at KU.
“Higher education gives me so many opportunities to work with and learn from great people, both from a culinary perspective and in general. KU is flexible, always improving its dining program and looking to extend its possibilities. It’s great to contribute to that firsthand. I wouldn’t want to go anywhere else,” Gattens said.
By Smanatha Koller M'20, Communications Graduate Assistant
The Blues and Rock Ensemble at Kutztown University will make you get out of your seat and dance - and applaud this award-winning group.
After graduation, Heather Browne '16 moved back to the Baltimore area, where she is now a first-grade teacher at the Maryland School for the Blind.
Two years after graduating in 2009, Clay created his first fantasy football website. By 2016, ESPN came calling.
Nessa Cartagena of Bethlehem, Pa., was awarded the 2018 Enlightened Leadership Scholarship to attend KU and majors in finance and personal financial planning.
A field hockey player by training, she soon identified the characteristic that would come to define her love for politics: a competitive spirit.
Peace Corps volunteer Yorman De La Rosa made it to Morocco by way of Kutztown University, after a semester-long stop in our nation’s capital.
Marybeth Kern ’09, M’19, who recently secured a spot as a featured artist in Logic’s music video, is all about collaboration.
Tekiah Brabham's commitment to urban classrooms leads her to teach in Washington, D.C.
KU Celebrates First Graduating Cohort of the Education Doctorate Program.
Christina Franko Uliano ’07 used a Fulbright Teachers for Global Classrooms grant to broaden her curriculum. After spending time abroad in Colombia, Christina joined a Fulbright global education online course to learn the tools for bringing global thinking into the classroom.
Jacey Tran and Bekah Roux, honors students at KU, became fast friends during the unexpected 2020 quarantine.
Kutztown University is celebrating the 10-year anniversary of its relationship with the Lake Peninsula School District in the state of Alaska.
Sarah is a junior, majoring in social media theory and strategy, with a double minor in business and communications.
Kutztown University gave Moe an opportunity that no other school did, to study a prestigious major while playing championship-level basketball.
Michael is a sophomore, majoring in secondary education with a concentration in mathematics.
Laura is a senior, majoring in anthropology.
Kutztown University alumnus, Collin DiGalbo, signs professional contract to continue football career overseas.
Kutztown University student Joey Strain has lived out his dream of being a children’s book illustrator, and he hasn’t even graduated yet.
Recent graduate Tyler Shull is ready to set out on his journey as a teacher.
Briana combined a marketing major with a social media minor to create a path to success in a field she can't wait to join.
Savina found the perfect combination at KU, with a double major in chemistry and environmental science.
Chinonyerem, "Noye" is a senior, majoring in Elementary Education/Pre-K - 4 and Special Education/Visual Impairments.
Frankmarlin is a 2020 Kutztown University graduate of the Studio Arts Program. He returned to KU in 2020-21 as an artist in residence.
Nicholas found a community of ambitious, talented students who challenge him to grow as an artist and aspiring teacher.
KU's Upward Bound program helps prepare students in Allentown's William Allen School District for a college education.
Students and faculty conducted an archaeological dig at a prehistoric site on campus.
KU alumnus dedicates career to defending "everyday people."
KU alumna charts a path to her dream job.
KU alumna works to increase the prevalence of multicultural literature in schools.
KU alumnus finds entrepreneurial success in an unexpected way.
KU alumna find success in show business.
This professional writing graduate is helping to bring PennDOT's message to the people of Pennsylvania.
KU professors and internationally renowned musical duo nurture promising students and promote the university’s musical offerings.
Kutztown University alumnus fights food insecurity with America’s Grow-a-Row
Political Science alumna pursues career in law.
Alumna's experience at KU leads to her dream job in a copper mine.
Kutztown University alumnus is continuing the legacy of education.
Meet Kutztown University student Mallory Schmidt who is studying Special Education/Visually Impaired.
Meet Kutztown University Student Rotuk Rahedi studying Sport Management.
Environmental science student Patrick plans to continue his research in graduate school.
Meet Kutztown University student Bianca Rosales studying Art Education.
Biology major has soared with research opportunities at KU and beyond.
This 2019 graduate is on her way to a pediatric residency after completing med school.
Meet Kutztown University student Victoria Fischer, studying Cinema, Television and Media Production
Meet Kutztown University student Sylvannah Gulley, a Library Science major.
Meet Kutztown University student Nicholas Coppolino, a Business Administration/Entrepreneurship major.
Meet Kutztown University student Eva Labram, a Professional Writing major.
The Blues and Rock Ensemble at Kutztown University will make you get out of your seat and dance - and applaud this award-winning group.
READ FULL STORYAfter graduation, Heather Browne '16 moved back to the Baltimore area, where she is now a first-grade teacher at the Maryland School for the Blind.
READ FULL STORYTwo years after graduating in 2009, Clay created his first fantasy football website. By 2016, ESPN came calling.
READ FULL STORYNessa Cartagena of Bethlehem, Pa., was awarded the 2018 Enlightened Leadership Scholarship to attend KU and majors in finance and personal financial planning.
READ FULL STORYA field hockey player by training, she soon identified the characteristic that would come to define her love for politics: a competitive spirit.
READ FULL STORYPeace Corps volunteer Yorman De La Rosa made it to Morocco by way of Kutztown University, after a semester-long stop in our nation’s capital.
READ FULL STORYMarybeth Kern ’09, M’19, who recently secured a spot as a featured artist in Logic’s music video, is all about collaboration.
READ FULL STORYTekiah Brabham's commitment to urban classrooms leads her to teach in Washington, D.C.
READ FULL STORYKU Celebrates First Graduating Cohort of the Education Doctorate Program.
READ FULL STORYChristina Franko Uliano ’07 used a Fulbright Teachers for Global Classrooms grant to broaden her curriculum. After spending time abroad in Colombia, Christina joined a Fulbright global education online course to learn the tools for bringing global thinking into the classroom.
READ FULL STORYJacey Tran and Bekah Roux, honors students at KU, became fast friends during the unexpected 2020 quarantine.
READ FULL STORYKutztown University is celebrating the 10-year anniversary of its relationship with the Lake Peninsula School District in the state of Alaska.
READ FULL STORYSarah is a junior, majoring in social media theory and strategy, with a double minor in business and communications.
READ FULL STORYKutztown University gave Moe an opportunity that no other school did, to study a prestigious major while playing championship-level basketball.
READ FULL STORYMichael is a sophomore, majoring in secondary education with a concentration in mathematics.
READ FULL STORYLaura is a senior, majoring in anthropology.
READ FULL STORYKutztown University alumnus, Collin DiGalbo, signs professional contract to continue football career overseas.
READ FULL STORYKutztown University student Joey Strain has lived out his dream of being a children’s book illustrator, and he hasn’t even graduated yet.
READ FULL STORYRecent graduate Tyler Shull is ready to set out on his journey as a teacher.
READ FULL STORYBriana combined a marketing major with a social media minor to create a path to success in a field she can't wait to join.
READ FULL STORYSavina found the perfect combination at KU, with a double major in chemistry and environmental science.
READ FULL STORYChinonyerem, "Noye" is a senior, majoring in Elementary Education/Pre-K - 4 and Special Education/Visual Impairments.
READ FULL STORYFrankmarlin is a 2020 Kutztown University graduate of the Studio Arts Program. He returned to KU in 2020-21 as an artist in residence.
READ FULL STORYNicholas found a community of ambitious, talented students who challenge him to grow as an artist and aspiring teacher.
READ FULL STORYKU's Upward Bound program helps prepare students in Allentown's William Allen School District for a college education.
READ FULL STORYStudents and faculty conducted an archaeological dig at a prehistoric site on campus.
READ FULL STORYKU alumnus dedicates career to defending "everyday people."
READ FULL STORYKU alumna charts a path to her dream job.
READ FULL STORYKU alumna works to increase the prevalence of multicultural literature in schools.
READ FULL STORYKU alumnus finds entrepreneurial success in an unexpected way.
READ FULL STORYKU alumna find success in show business.
READ FULL STORYThis professional writing graduate is helping to bring PennDOT's message to the people of Pennsylvania.
READ FULL STORYKU professors and internationally renowned musical duo nurture promising students and promote the university’s musical offerings.
READ FULL STORYKutztown University alumnus fights food insecurity with America’s Grow-a-Row
READ FULL STORYPolitical Science alumna pursues career in law.
READ FULL STORYAlumna's experience at KU leads to her dream job in a copper mine.
READ FULL STORYKutztown University alumnus is continuing the legacy of education.
READ FULL STORYMeet Kutztown University student Mallory Schmidt who is studying Special Education/Visually Impaired.
READ FULL STORYMeet Kutztown University Student Rotuk Rahedi studying Sport Management.
READ FULL STORYEnvironmental science student Patrick plans to continue his research in graduate school.
READ FULL STORYMeet Kutztown University student Bianca Rosales studying Art Education.
READ FULL STORYBiology major has soared with research opportunities at KU and beyond.
READ FULL STORYThis 2019 graduate is on her way to a pediatric residency after completing med school.
READ FULL STORYMeet Kutztown University student Victoria Fischer, studying Cinema, Television and Media Production
READ FULL STORYMeet Kutztown University student Sylvannah Gulley, a Library Science major.
READ FULL STORYMeet Kutztown University student Nicholas Coppolino, a Business Administration/Entrepreneurship major.
READ FULL STORYMeet Kutztown University student Eva Labram, a Professional Writing major.
READ FULL STORY