Students sound off on Dessert Expo

Two restaurateurs from Grand Asia Market, who served as judges, enjoy sweets served at the Dessert Expo in the Great Hall Monday evening. The event, hosted by the Culinary Society, received positive reviews from attendees.
Two restaurateurs from Grand Asia Market, who served as judges, enjoy sweets served at the Dessert Expo in the Great Hall Monday evening. The event, hosted by the Culinary Society, received positive reviews from attendees.

The Great Hall was filled with vegan pumpkin chocolate chip cookies, red velvet cupcakes and caramel apple pies as the Duke University Culinary Society hosted its first Duke Dessert Expo Monday.

Sophomore Lucy Yao, president of the culinary society, said about 60 students submitted entries and nine local restaurants sent chefs to serve as judges. Great Hall officials estimated that more than 300 people attended the event, which provided attendees with samples, coffee and music from the Duke Saxophone Quartet.

Although many students noted that the crowds were overwhelming, Yao said the turnout was what she had expected and asked chefs to prepare for the spectacle.

The Chronicle asked participants, attendees and event coordinators what drew them to the event.

—compiled by Lindsey Rupp

“I hope it’s good, I hope people enjoy it and really get to meet and mingle, not only with the Duke community but with the Durham chefs, too.”

—Alice Yen, sophomore and founder of Duke University Culinary Society

“It was a lot of fun, but I didn’t expect this many people. I am going to go out with my boyfriend—or maybe my roommate [with my prize].”

—Eva Chung, an immunology graduate student whose Swagger Pie won her a $50 gift certificate to the Washington Duke Inn

“It’s exciting for us, it’s always nice to see people having a good time in our place and hopefully it’ll be good for business, too. It’ll get people to think about the Great Hall, get our name out there—plus I love desserts.”

—Tony Preiss, Great Hall manager who helped set up the event and provided drinks, utensils and space

“I just love baking, I aspire to be a cake decorator some day. I feel it’s the best canvas to express my creativity. I find working under pressure to be the most rewarding. I made [my pie] in an hour and 15 minutes between work and physics lab.”

—Tammy Lin, senior

“As soon as I saw something involving baking I got excited because it’s not something you see very often.... It gives students an opportunity to express their skills and passions that might not otherwise get seen except by family or friends.”

—Nicole Queathem, junior

“I came out to support [senior Connie Chai] because you never know how many people are going to come out to an event, but it looks like she didn’t need us.”

—Kim Hanauer, Alumni Association director

“It’s in a good location—all I had to do was walk out of Kilgo [Quadrangle.] It’s really good food, but they may have gotten more people than they expected.”

—Stephen Zhu, sophomore

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