Winners announced in Student Programs' sixth annual Home Sweet Home recipe contest

BLACKSBURG, Va., Sept. 14, 2007 – Eight recipes were selected from the more than 250 submitted by students' family members during the sixth annual Home Sweet Home Recipe Contest sponsored by the Virginia Tech Office of Student Programs' Housing and Dining Services.

Ann and Andrew Leonard were awarded the grand prize for their Paradise Chicken recipe. They will receive two nights’ lodging at the Inn at Virginia Tech for Family Day.

Over the summer, family members were asked to submit their student’s favorite recipe in several categories: appetizers and beverages, soups and salads, breads, vegetables and side dishes, main dishes, desserts, breads and rolls, cookies and candy, and “this and that.” Recipes were submitted from families located in 16 states, as well as Germany.

Winning recipes include:

• Red Pepper and Cheddar Cheese Spread, from Anne Hilder, on behalf of Christopher Smith of Berwyn, Penn., a freshman majoring in general engineering in the College of Engineering;
• Honey Chicken Salad, from Lisa Williams, on behalf of Katherine Williams of Forest, Va., a freshman majoring in communication in the College of Liberal Arts and Human Sciences;
• Beach Black Bean Salad with Cilantro Sauce, from Cindy Kube, on behalf of Kirsten Kube of Virginia Beach, Va., a freshman majoring in University Studies;
• Blueberry French Toast Breakfast Casserole, from Ingrid Sheremeta, on behalf of Amanda Sheremeta of Hillsborough, N.J., a junior majoring in apparel, housing, and resource management in the College of Liberal Arts and Human Sciences;
• Paradise Chicken, from Ann Leonard, on behalf of Andrew Leonard of Bethesda, Md., a freshman majoring in business in the Pamplin College of Business;
• Portobello Mushroom Burger, from Julie McCloskey, on behalf of Shawn McCloskey of Pleasanton, Calif., a senior majoring in chemical engineering in the College of Engineering;
• Teala, from Dolores Brooks, on behalf of Donald Brooks of Claytor Lake, Va., a sophomore majoring in general engineering in the College of Engineering;
• Cookie Dough Topped Brownies, from Patty Driver, on behalf of Matt Driver of Fishersville, Va., a sophomore majoring in University Studies.

The winning recipes will be featured at the Home Sweet Home special dinner to be held at D2 from 5 to 7 p.m. Friday, Oct. 19. Winners are invited to the dinner where their recipes will be adapted to serve the 1,200 guests expected to be in attendance. In addition, each entrant will receive a cookbook featuring all of the recipe entries. The students of the families whose recipes were selected will receive $50 in Dining Dollars and a personalized cutting board. The recipes will also be featured on the Student Programs website later this year.

Students, faculty, staff, and the public are welcome to attend the dinner. Flex plans, Dining Dollars, Hokie Passport and cash will be accepted at the door. For more information about this and other upcoming special events, please visit dining services special events website.

• Brandi Dawson
• 540-231-5396
• vtnews@vt.edu