Delaware Valley University Featured in The Chef's Kitchen TV Show's College Campus Cooking Series

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Chef Michael Solomonov and student Kyra McKeegan are talking into the camera during an episode.
Credit: Delaware Valley University . Chef Michael Solomonov, Tinamarie Lavan, host, and Kyra McKeegan '24

Four Delaware Valley University (DelVal) students with a passion in the food industry joined renowned Chefs, Michael Solomonov, Lee Chizmar, Ryan Zellner, and Anthony Bonett for an episode of The Chef's Kitchen: College Campus Cooking, which aired on NBC10, and several other networks, reaching over 78 million households. The show provides tips and techniques from the country's most exclusive restaurants and features award-winning chefs, notable bakers, and the world's most-learned sommeliers.

Chef Michael Solomonov is widely recognized for bringing cultures of Israeli cuisine to diners across the U.S. and around the world. Solomonov co-owns CookNSolo Restaurants and Philadelphia's Zahav. Philadelphia's Federal Donuts, Dizengoff, Abe Fisher, Goldie, Merkaz, K'Far, and Laser Wolf, as well as Lilah - a Spring 2022-debuted event venue. He is also the co-author of three cookbooks, and. A recipient of five James Beard Awards. Chef Lee Chizmar is the owner of Mister Lee's Noodles, a nontraditional take on Japanese Noodles, with locations in Bethlehem and Easton, PA. Chizmar also owns Bolete in Bethlehem, PA. Chizmar received nominations from the James Beard Foundation for "Best Chef -Mid Atlantic" in 2015, and Bolete for Outstanding Restaurant in 2019. Chef Anthony Bonett is the executive chef at the Moshulu, which is the world's oldest and largest square-rigged sailing vessel still afloat, and the only restaurant in the world on a Tall Ship. The ship is docked at Pier 34 of Philadelphia's waterfront on the Delaware River. Chef Ryan Zellner works with St. Luke's University Health Network and Metz Culinary.

Allen Volant '24, Asha Miller '26, Nicholas Choi '24, and Kyra McKeegan '24 showed up bright and early for a day's worth of filming in the food preparation area of the Mandell Science building on campus. Each episode of the college campus cooking series showcases one of the nation's top culinary talents sharing original, quick, and easy dishes with students. This hands-on learning and relationship-building with chefs was an unforgettable experience for our students who are food industry bound.

"I had a great experience here working side by side with Chef Solomonov, learning great tips and techniques, and I'd love to do it again," said McKeegan '24.

Laura Herbst, chair of the Department of Agribusiness and Food Science Technology, Dr. Broc Sandelin, dean of Agriculture and Environmental Science, and Dr. Benjamin Rusiloski, President of Delaware Valley University were also featured in the series. These faculty members spoke about the learning experience DelVal students receive on campus and gave an inside perspective on campus life.

"What makes our food science and nutrition science programs unique is our small, hands-on classes. We get to know our students' interests and can help them get to where they want to go in their careers," added Herbst. "Eating a variety of foods is fundamental to nutrition, and as an agricultural school, students can get direct experience with where their food comes from with our orchards, vegetable farms, greenhouses, dairy, and animal farms."

Learn more and watch the full episodes at delval.edu/feedyourpassion.