Chef Mike and RD Alexa Recognized in Food Management's List of 14 College Dining Chefs Who Made a Difference over the Past Year

When Food Management put out a call for nominations of college dining chefs who stepped up during the pandemic to ensure that students and staff continued to be fed delicious food in a COVID-safe way, the college community did not disappoint. More than 400 nominations were submitted, and we're proud to announce that Columbia Dining Executive Chef Michael DeMartino and Registered Dietitian Alexa Gandara were selected among the top 14!

Over the past year, Chef Mike and Alexa have led a culinary team through the endeavor of producing and delivering quarantine and isolation meals to students during the academic year and even during winter break, ranging from just a dozen to hundreds of meals a day - all while regular dining operations continued. Without Chef Mike and Alexa’s leadership on the front line with students, in the kitchen, and on site with the delivery teams, the care for our students and focus on regular operations would not have been possible. Read more about Chef Mike and Alexa's contributions and see the other recognized chefs.