Lehigh University chefs team with police for culinary COPetition

According to Dining Hall Director Lauren Sleeger, what started out as banter between Lehigh Dining staff and Lehigh University police turned into one of the most gratifying nights of her career.

In a unique culinary cook-off orchestrated by Lehigh Dining by Sodexo, members of the Lehigh University Police Department were paired with culinary staffers for a crime show-themed COPetition at Rathbone Dining Hall on April 1.

“It was a tremendous collaborative event that was enjoyed by the students as well as the participating chefs from dining and university police,” said Executive Director of Student Auxiliary Services David Joseph. “The police had an opportunity to be seen in a different light by the students and to interact with them in a fun environment.”

Each team created menus based off classic shows including Columbo, Hawaii Five-0, CSI-New York, Unsolved Mysteries and Magnum PI.

Lehigh students were invited to sample dishes from each team and cast ballots at the end of dinner.

Joseph said the event generated a lot of interest from the students and comments received were very positive throughout the night.

Officer Jamie Leuber and Sous Chef CJ Livering were chosen as the event's first champions by only one vote. Their Unsolved Mysteries-inspired menu featured BBQ chicken quarters and ribs, hand-cut fries, roasted vegetables and peach and mint smoothies.

“The COPetition is definitely an event we'll run again in the fall as it was entertaining and provided new menu creations for the students,” said Joseph. “These types of food events keep dining on campus fresh and interesting and when the university police can be seen in a fun light, it helps with overall relationships.”