Sodexo, world leader in Quality of Life Services, has long been known for its foodservice expertise at more than 850 higher education campuses throughout North America, improving the on-campus experience for students, faculty, staff and the community. That expertise was on full display as Chef Jonathan Elwell, Sodexo's executive chef with Georgia Tech Dining Services on the campus of the Georgia Institute of Technology in Atlanta, Ga., won the silver medal at the National Association of College and University Food Services Culinary Challenge.

Chef Elwell, who earned a place in the national finals by winning the NACUFS Southern Regional Championship, faced five other regional winners in a live cooking event on July 14 during the NACUFS National Conference in Anaheim, Calif.  The event was sanctioned by the American Culinary Federation.

Chef Elwell prepared his award-winning duck breast with citrus scallion sauce, red rice cake, sautéed kale and edamame puree and it wowed the judges, who were grading the dishes based on three criteria groups - organization, cooking skills and culinary technique and taste.

"I am passionate about cooking, especially being able to prepare fresh and sustainable dishes that showcase my culinary talents, so the NACUFS Culinary Challenge was a tremendous opportunity for me," said Jonathan Elwell, Sodexo executive chef at Georgia Institute of Technology. "It was a real honor to represent Sodexo, Georgia Tech and the NACUFS Southern Region on a national stage and to win the silver medal."