Executive Sous Chef Paul Houle (L) and Sous Chef Adam Schwartz won first prizes in the NACUFS regional culinary conference's bakery and cook-off competitions, respectively.

Executive Sous Chef Paul Houle and Sous Chef Adam Schwartz took first place in separate events at the 2005 National Association of College and University Food Services (NACUFS) regional culinary competition in March in Laramie, Wyo.

"It felt great to win, and to have something to bring back to the university for all our time and effort," says Schwartz. Adds Houle, "It's a fun event. You learn a lot about yourself and what you can do under pressure."

Houle competed in the cook-off competition, which measured organization, cooking skill, culinary techniques and taste. He had one hour to prepare his original recipe of coffee- and chili-seared lamb loin on orange-scented spaetzle paired with garlic-and-herb sausage, caramelized onions, Swiss chard, English pears and peppers. In July he will compete in the NACUFS National Culinary Challenge in New Orleans.

Schwartz competed in the first-ever bakery culinary challenge where he had 65 minutes to decorate a cake using the theme, "Blazing New Trails." The competition measured organization, presentation and workmanship. The scene on Schwartz's cake featured tuile-cookie mountains under spun-sugar clouds.

The chefs held timed, coached practices several times a week for a few months before the event. "This was my first competition," says Schwartz. "I designed my cake three times before I was satisfied. Paul [Houle] was my coach, and I practiced every other day."

Houle has worked at CU-Boulder for over three years, the first two at the University Club. As executive sous chef, he spends time in each dining unit supervising, conducting training sessions and ensuring food quality. He also creates many of the new recipes used by all the campus kitchens.

Schwartz has been with the university for nearly two years. He started in Farrand Hall and currently works as chef at Dal Ward's Training Table.

Details about Dining Services are available at CU-Boulder Department of Housing: Dining.