Great Visit to Slippery Rock University

Posted on Feb 22, 2012 in Hiroko's Blog

Great visit at Slippery Rock University!

I have visited Slippery Rock University – one of the best State University in the country – to introduce gourmet ramen to chefs and students, and conduct a Japanese tea ceremony to introduce the culture of Japan to the students. Before my visit I was curious to find out what made the school to be called Slippery Rock University. The school is built in 1889 in the town of Slippery Rock and here is the town’s historical story from Slippery Rock University website (www.sru.edu). “There are a lot of legends about how Slippery Rock got its name. Legend has it that in colonial times, soldiers were being chased by the local Seneca Indians. The troops, wearing heavy boots, were able to cross the creek, but the Indians, wearing moccasins, slipped on the rocks in the creek bed. They named the creek Wechachochapohka – a slippery rock. Some versions of the story have George Washington as the object of the Indians’ pursuit. While a young Washington did visit the area, (we are near the George Washington Trail), his place in the story is highly suspect. As is the rumor that Elvis’ “everybody let’s ROCK” was inspired by a visit. ”

At SRU the beautiful university cafeterias are run and operated by AVIFoodsystems. Devoted chefs from AVIFoodsystems are every day producing modern, healthy, attractive and delicious meals to their students. It was a great honor to be there to introduce the real, gourmet ramen (unfortunately, ramen is known as a convenient, cheap quick, filling meal eaten from plastic cup) production, including the hand-made ramen noodles, to many chefs. After I trained the chefs in the kitchen, we have produced one of the best ramen noodles in the country (believe me, it is true) for the next day demo and serving. The students had a rare ramen opportunity – the best ramen soup bowl with hand-made noodles! We served shoyu ramen (soy sauce flavored) and miso ramen (miso flavored). Many of them came back to savor two flavors! We got great students feedback.

In the kitchen I had a great pleasure to work with Chef Dan. Chef Dan, thank you very much for your hospitality during my visit to your kitchen. Another many thanks to Chef Ed, Tom and other cooks in the kitchens.

Thank you very much for attending the Japanese Tea Ceremony event! I hope every one had a time to relax and focus on yourself (meditate). I wished that I had more time to share with you. On my next visit if it will happen let’s plan a real Tea Ceremony practice session!