New Sodexo chef hopes to raise the culinary bar

A European culinary arts education and experience with celebrity chefs are just a few of the qualifications of Sodexo’s new executive chef.

After a month-long search, Sodexo hired Rosie Neel as the head chef after the death of previous head chef Tim Bowen, who Food Service Director Les Petroff said will truly be missed.

Neel, who studied culinary arts in Germany, said she hopes to improve the standards of food in the cafeteria.

“I would like to see the quality of food and the bar just raised a little bit with taste and flavor,” Neel said.

Neel has an extensive resume including work at the Ritz-Carlton, Brown Hotel and Ruth’s Chris Steakhouse. She even had the opportunity to work side by side with celebrity chef Bobby Flay.

Neel worked with Sodexo previously in military services, and she said she is looking forward to bringing new ideas and fun events to campus.

“I am so, so stoked about a couple of events that I have planned,” Neel said. “The next one I believe is in October, and I would like to do an obstacle course with food. It’s just something fun for the students.”

Neel said she has wanted to be a chef ever since she acted as her grandmother’s “sous chef” as a little girl. When she moved to Germany, her interest in food preparation peaked.

“When I moved to Europe, that’s when my heart really got into the culinary arts,” she said. “All your famous sauces are over in Europe and just travelling around and tasting all of the different kinds of food made me want to bring some of that back to America with me.”

Petroff said he and the entire staff have been happy with Neel’s performance so far.

“She’s come in and hit the ground running,” Petroff said. “I think students will be very happy with the changes going forward with Chef [Neel].”