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A taste of the finest

The Distinguished Chef Series provides a unique dining experience that is not found elsewhere in Oklahoma.
Patrons can support our students as they work side-by-side with world-class chefs to produce an evening of hospitality at its finest, while being the beneficiaries of an outstanding meal, great wine from the best vineyards and vintners and a beautiful setting with wonderful ambiance. A portion of the proceeds go to students scholarships.


2025-26 events

Chef Reimund Pitz

September 17-18, 2025

 

Chef Lenard Rubin

November 12-13, 2025

Chef L. Fernando Mojica

February 11-12, 2026

 

Chef Paul Jensen

April 22-23, 2026


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Meet the chefs

Introducing the chefs for the 2025-26 Chef Series

Chef Reimund Pitz, CEC, CCE, AAC, WCMC

In 2020, Chef Pitz was inducted into the American Academy of Chefs Hall of Fame. In 2018, French president Emmanuel Macron approved Chef Pitz for the Ordre du Mérite Agricole.Chef Pitz is Conseiller Culinaire et des Professionnels des États-Unis of La Confrérie de la Chaîne des Rôtisseurs. He is also a member of the International Conseil Magistral as the only American professional chef to serve on the International Board of Directors. Chef Pitz currently serves as the Chancelier Général de l’Académie Brillat-Savarin of the Chaîne. For the past seven years, Chef Pitz has been leading the Chaîne's Jeunes Chefs Rôtisseurs Program. He has hosted competitions, offered scholarships and infused the program with innovative ideas so Chaîne members can now watch the competition in person. Chef Pitz has owned Orlando's highly acclaimed Le Coq au Vin restaurant since 2007. Previously, he was the Executive Chef of The Country Club of Orlando and built his early career at Walt Disney World. In 1988, Chef Pitz earned eight gold medals and two perfect scores at the Culinary Olympics held in Frankfurt, Germany. In 1992, the American Culinary Federation named him National Chef of the Year, and he served as their national president from 1994-95.

Chef Lenard Rubin, CEC, CCA, AAC

Chef Rubin began his culinary career at the Ritz-Carlton Boston and worked his way through all the departments of the hotel's kitchens. During the past 40 years, he has held Corporate Chef, Executive Chef, Food & Beverage Director, Executive Sous Chef and Chef de Cuisine positions in many world-class establishments including, most recently, The Hilton Phoenix Resort at the Peak. He opened his own restaurant, Medizona, which was chosen by Esquire Magazine as one of the "Top 22 Best New Restaurants in America." Chef Rubin has won numerous culinary medals, 11 of them gold, and was the grand prize winner at the US Chefs Open in Tampa. In 2019, he represented the U.S. at the G20 Masters World King of Chefs Competition in Awaji, Japan. In 2016, he was awarded the title of ACF Western Region Chef of the Year, and in 2019, he was chosen as the ACF Western Region recipient of the Hermann G. Rusch Chef's Achievement Award. Chef Rubin is especially proud of his membership in the ACF Chef's Association of Arizona, which he joined in 1985. He was twice chosen as “Chapter Chef of the Year.” In 2022, Chef Rubin was inducted into the American Academy of Chefs, the ACF’s honor society. 

Chef L. Fernando Mojica, CEC, CCA, AAC

Chef Mojica brings over 25 years of experience to the culinary industry. He currently serves as a Corporate Executive Chef for Land O' Lakes. His extensive career spans a variety of culinary environments, including fine dining, upscale casual restaurants, fast-casual restaurants, country clubs, city clubs, golf clubs, high-volume sports and entertainment venues, and food manufacturing companies. As an accomplished culinary competitor, Chef Mojica has earned over 15 competition medals. He has also received numerous accolades, including the prestigious 2023 Dr. LJ Minor Chef Professionalism National Award, making him the first Latino and the youngest chef to receive this honor. Chef Mojica is a Certified Executive Chef and Certified Culinary Administrator and was inducted into the American Academy of Chefs in 2023. He holds a culinary management degree from Elgin (IL) Community College and a restaurant and food service management degree from Columbus (OH) State Community College.

Chef Paul Jensen, AMCO, CEC, CCA, AAC

Chef Paul Jensen, a seasoned fourth-generation chef, carries a rich 100-plus year family culinary heritage, bringing over 30 years of expertise to the industry. His journey spans from the prestigious five-star/five-diamond Broadmoor Hotel to dynamic corporate entities. Currently serving as Executive Chef at the Summit Hotel in Big Sky, Montana, Chef Jensen diligently mentors the next generation of culinary leaders. In 2023, Chef Jensen earned the prestigious Gold Medal for Southeast Chef of the Year and received the Culinary Leadership Award from the American Master Chefs Order (AMCO). He holds esteemed certifications from the American Culinary Federation, including Certified Culinary Administrator (CCA), Certified Executive Chef (CEC) and Fellow of the American Academy of Chefs (AAC). Notably, he is one of only about 100 ACF competition judges and is currently earning practical examiner status. Chef Jensen’s culinary journey began in a family-owned catering company on Long Island, New York, under the mentorship of his accomplished father. Beyond his culinary pursuits, Chef Jensen recently ventured into competitive Brazilian jiu-jitsu and earned a notable victory in the Pan American tournament last March. Married to Chrissy (CEPC) for the past 29 years, Chef Jensen looks ahead to participating in the American Master Chefs Order's intensive assessment as he works toward his lifelong goal of earning certification as an American Master Chef.

Student experience

Karlee Newman

Karlee Newman

Class of 2025

Hometown: Broken Arrow, Oklahoma

Major: Hospitality and Tourism Management 

"The Chef Series is such an amazing opportunity to earn hands-on hospitality management experience and appreciate various cultures through our distinguished chefs. This series not only creates a fun and engaging environment for all student workers but also creates a learning environment where we can grow as industry leaders with the support of our professors and advisors behind us."

Ashley Plisted

Ashley Plisted

Class of 2026

Hometown: O’ Fallon, Illinois

Major & Minor: Hospitality and Tourism Management, German & General Business

"Chef Event has allowed me to break out of my comfort zone in the kitchen and learn a plethora of new skills and information I would previously have missed. I love meeting each new chef and seeing their different approaches to navigating the kitchen.  I'm excited to be a part of this year's chef event as a manager and utilize all the skills I've learned over the past year."

Ellen Rosson

Ellen Rosson

Class of 2026

Hometown: Louisa, Virginia

Major & Minor: Hospitality and Tourism Management, Event Planning

"Serving on the management team of the Distinguished Chef Series was an honor and an invaluable learning experience. Through hands-on involvement, I enhanced my industry skills and built meaningful connections with esteemed professionals like Chef Jilleba and Chef Bacon, as well as with my peers and professors. The Chef Series offers a true glimpse into the world of hospitality and provides excellent preparation for future career opportunities. I highly recommend getting involved in this program and growing your professionalism, industry, and personal skills. Go Pokes!"

Piper Tapp

Piper Tapp

Class of 2026

Hometown: Edmond, Oklahoma

Major: Hospitality and Tourism Management

"Chef Series has had a significant influence on me, both reaffirming my love of serving others and my decision to pursue a career in hospitality. Working with a diverse range of individuals, learning from specialists in the hospitality field, and creating meaningful guest experiences were all key takeaways that I absorbed through participating in the Chef Event. Above all, the Chef Series reaffirmed my desire to be a leader in this industry by prioritizing others and developing myself through every opportunity to serve."

Tradition at its best

The Distinguished Chef Series Scholarship Benefit began in 1990 and has since hosted chefs from all over the world. Four times a year, chefs travel to OSU to share their culinary knowledge for one week with HTM students. This student-led scholarship benefit is planned and orchestrated by HTM students who gain valuable leadership skills.
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