CMU Dining Hosts 7th Annual Plaidvocates Chopped Championship
Written with Plaidvocate leaders, Grace Malinger and Abby O’Connor
Carnegie Mellon’s campus was buzzing with competitive spirit on Sunday, March 15th, as student‑athletes from across Varsity Athletics gathered for the 7th Annual Plaidvocates Chopped Championship—a high‑energy culinary showdown inspired by the fast‑paced format of the popular TV series Chopped. Hosted by CMU Dining, the event brought together teamwork, creativity, and a whole lot of improvisation in the kitchen.
Four teams stepped into the kitchen arena—Fourth Down Flavors, The Pressure Cookers, Maxster Chefs, and Shelby & Her Friends—each ready to transform a set of unconventional mystery ingredients into standout dishes. This year’s secret basket pushed competitors to think far outside the box, featuring:
- Cornish hen
- Marshmallow fluff
- Vegemite
- Enoki Mushrooms
- Tinned fish
- Banana chips
- Rice cakes
The championship was organized by Plaidvocate leaders Abby O’Connor and Grace Malinger. Registered Dietitian, Jessica Rea and Chartwells Campus Executive Chef, Timothy Howland assisted with planning and execution. Strength and Conditioning Coach, Michael Kelley, joined in on the action as a participant and a star-studded panel of Varsity Athletics judges made the day possible:
- Kim Kelly
- Kathy McConnell-Miller
- Ty Jones
- Ryan Larsen
- Erin Street
After an intense battle, The Pressure Cookers emerged as the 2026 Plaidvocates Chopped Champions. Their winning dishes— salmon stir-fry noodles, chicken tacos and fresh fruit dip platter —impressed the judges with bold flavors and creativity.
CMU Dining would like to thank all those who participated in this event centered around teamwork, laughter and community spirit.