San Jose, CA – Mushroom Mania is quickly spreading through university campuses throughout the country. From New Haven to Los Angeles, students and campus chefs everywhere are exploring nature’s hidden treasure.
“Mushrooms and mushroom blendability are a natural fit for college students” says Mushroom Council President Bart Minor. “Students are extremely food literate. They demand sustainable, healthy, flavorful and often plant-based foods in their dining halls. Mushroom Blendability allows students to eat healthier versions of food they crave like hamburgers, meatballs and tacos.”
Since January the University of Southern California, Yale University, University of Massachusetts, University of North Texas and more have hosted Mushroom Mania events. To launch the promotion, Mushroom Council chefs work with university chefs to incorporate mushroom blendability seamlessly onto the campus dining menu. To build awareness for new menu items the student focused events include everything from celebrity chefs, cooking contests, mushroom tasting menus, and cooking demos to t-shirt giveaways and interactive growing rooms.
Yale University
In February the Mushroom Council was proud to participate in the 6th Annual Yale University Final Cut Culinary Competition. The secret ingredient of the night? Mushrooms!
Teams of students from each of the 12 residential colleges battled in an Iron Chef format, in which they had one hour to prepare an appetizer and main course dish using fresh mushrooms and Atlantic salmon. Recipes were assessed by a panel of judges on a variety of criteria including taste, presentation and creativity.
Mushroom Mania at the University of Massachusetts
Extensive fresh mushroom displays, mushroom blended burgers, crab cakes, meatballs and wraps, and a mock-growing room featuring crimini, oyster, and shiitake mushrooms were just some of the main highlights of the University of Massachusetts' weeklong Mushroom Mania event.
During the week Mushroom Mania "toured" around campus visiting four of UMass’ popular dining halls. On Monday students dining at Worcester were treated to Grilled Mushroom, and Chickpea Wraps and Crimini and Pork Meatballs. Tuesday at Berkshire featured a Portabella “Burger," Mushroom Mac N Cheese, and a Mushroom Crostini. Wednesday brought all kinds of mushroom favorites to Franklindining hall; a Baby Bella, Caramelized Onion & Swiss Panini, Mushroom, and Potato and Chorizo Tacos topped the menu.
Chef Mehta, of Next Iron Chef fame, spoke to students about the many benefits of blending mushrooms into classic meat dishes, while preparing a delicious Blended Portabella Angus Burger with Enoki Mushroom Fries. Impressed by the mock growing room set up in the dining hall lobby, students came armed with questions and seized the opportunity to start a discussion.
Celebrity Chef Maneet Chauhan Makes Guest Appearance at University of North Texas Mushroom Mania
Butternut Squash Soup, Charred Kale Caramelized Shiitake Naan Pizza, and Tandoori Portabella Burgers were just some of the offerings Food Network Superstar Chef Maneet Chauhan had planned for students during the University of North Texas' Mushroom Mania promotion in early March.
Mushroom Mania brought fun and knowledge together at UNT's Kerr Cafeteria. A mushroom-centricmenu, an Iron-Chef style competition between campus chefs, a live cooking demonstration and sampling of Chef Maneet’s Tandoori Portabella burger had drawn students from every corner of the campus. Students were encouraged to try their hand at mushroom trivia in order to win a UNT Mushroom Mania t-shirt; a great way to engage them in conversation and allow them to ask questions.
“Beyond the excitement of the events, the Mushroom Council wants to educate students on mushrooms as a sustainable and affordable food option that can be used to extend or replace meat in various dishes and add nutrition,” Mr. Minor said. Students were eager to learn about how mushrooms grow, what makes them a sustainable product, and just how beneficial they are to their health. Students and faculty were beyond thrilled with mushrooms appearance, toting Mushroom Mania as one of their best events.
The Council continues to plan Mushroom Mania promotions with upcoming events at Texas A&M and the University of Washington among others.
About The Mushroom Council:
The Mushroom Council is composed of fresh market producers or importers who average more than 500,000 pounds of mushrooms produced or imported annually. The mushroom program is authorized by the Mushroom Promotion, Research and Consumer Information Act of 1990 and is administered by the Mushroom Council under the supervision of the Agricultural Marketing Service. Research and promotion programs help to expand, maintain and develop markets for individual agricultural commodities in theUnited States and abroad. These industry self-help programs are requested and funded by the industry groups that they serve. For more information on the Mushroom Council, visit mushroomcouncil.org.
Source: The Mushroom Council