Saint John’s University Launches Celebrity Chef Series, Introducing Students to Diverse Culinary Delights

(KNSI) – Saint John’s University is hosting a series of celebrity chefs to tantalize the taste buds of students and open their world to new cultures.

The three-part series kicked off on Wednesday with 2022 Iron Chef Contestant, frequent Twin Cities food contributor, and owner of Union Hmong Kitchen in Minneapolis, Yia Vang. The chef described Hmong food as a philosophy instead of a type of course. “We’ve always believed that there’s this living world around us, that we can gather and glean from that living world. And we can make food and dishes that nourish our bodies. But more importantly, it builds community to bring people together.”

Jake Judd/KNSI News

Vang explained that traditional Hmong cuisine is made of four elements. “There’s a protein. There’s a rice. There’s a vegetable. And then, there’s a hot sauce, or futsal, which means pepper sauce. And you’re going to get all of that in one bowl.”

Nearly 700 students were treated to a plate of jasmine rice with grilled lemongrass chicken and traditional Hmong pepper sauce. A cucumber salad was served on the side. Vang wants all those who try it to appreciate tastes they may not have experienced before.

SJU Executive Director of Culinary Services Tony Finnestad came up with the idea to host Twin Cities chefs on campus. “I thought, what can we do for our students that’ll be fun? And that won’t put a bunch of extra pressure on our kitchen staff. And it’s really unique, because I don’t think our students will have a chance to experience this type of cuisine on a regular basis.”

He hopes the kids enjoy the food enough that they will start demanding it. If that happens, SJU Executive Chef Art Martinez is ready. “It’s great for our students because it’s bringing a new culture, a whole new flavor set to our dining room. I’m going to steal his recipes and run them once in a while. Because everything we’ve made today is really, really delicious.”

Martinez says Vang has given the school permission to keep the Hmong dish on the menu if they like.

The other celebrity chefs include Pedro Wolcott, who owns Guacaya Bistreaux in Minneapolis. He will make Latin and Caribbean food on November 13th, and Chef Gustavo Romero will serve Mexican dishes from his restaurant Nixta in Northeast Minneapolis on Tuesday, December 5th.

The SJU dining hall is also open to the public.

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