Distinguished Chef Series
A taste of the finest
2025-26 events
Chef Reimund Pitz
September 17-18, 2025
Chef Lenard Rubin
November 12-13, 2024
Chef L. Fernando Mojica
February 11-12, 2026
Chef Paul Jensen
April 22-23, 2026
Contact
Student experience
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
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
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
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."