These are the MENSA STARS 2018!

MENSA STAR 2018, the big online recipe contest, has ended: More than 2 000 people voted online and chose their favourite dishes from the three categories. The winning recipes were Lemongrass Chicken, Wild rice Spinach and Apple Crumble. In a small award ceremony the positions were announced and the prizes were presented to the winners.

The voters decided: The best recipes, the tastiest dishes, the MENSA STARS 2018 were chosen! In November, 170 students sent us their favourite recipes. There were three recipe categories: Main course with fish or meat, vegetarian/vegan main course and dessert. After the Studierendenwerk expert jury had made a first selection 2 190 online voters picked their favourites among the pre-selection. The voting week was exciting: Two dishes in the category „vegetarian/vegan” were neck and neck until the last day – the dish “Wild rice Spinach” finally won with a lead of just 16 votes. Whereas the Dessert Category had a clear winner from the start.

The recipe authors were presented their prizes in a ceremony in Mensa Academica – the prizes have a total amount of 700 € and are sponsored by Sparkasse Aachen. The jury members Peter Schröder, manager of Mensa Academica, and Michael Thess from Product Management presented the nominated dishes and explained the jury criteria. For example creativity and practicability of the recipes in a canteen kitchen were very important. Dominik Langer, the deputy branch manager of Sparkasse Aachen on Pontwall, handed the prizes to the winners.

The MENSA STAR Ranking:

Category „Main course with fish or meat“:

• "Lemongrass Chicken" by Clara Köhnen (636 votes)
• "Indonesian Rendang" by Suchi Julidayani (477 votes)
• "Greek Kritharaki casserole" by Lukas von Brachel (329 votes)
•  "French chicken" by Johanna Merizian (258 votes)
• "Pork with sweet peppers, champignons and honey sauce" by Ioannis Kourtikakis (207 votes)

Category "Vegetarian/vegan main course"

• "Wild Rice Spinach with yoghurt" (509 votes)
• "Spaghetti aglio e olio" by Alessandro Germini (493 votes)
• "Vegan Moussaka" by Rebecca Mohr (378 votes)
• "Moroccan-inspired stew with pearl barley" by Katharina Mertens (368 votes) 
• "Lentil Bolognese" by Tina Torabian (266 votes)

Category „Dessert“:

• "Apple Crumble with caramelized walnuts" by Thu Hang Nguyen (820 votes)
• "Indonesian banana balls" by Suchi Julidayani (412 votes)
• "Cookie-grape-tiramisu" by Johanna Suppes (387 votes)
• "Cherry chocolate mousse" (Schwarzwälder Kirsch) by Eva Siedhoff (232 votes)
• "Semolina pudding (Sütlü irmik tatlisi)" by Evrim Ruken Yagiz (190 votes)
  
  

In February, we are going to cook the three winning meals in all Studierendenwerk dining halls. More information will be announced on our website.

Studierendenwerk congratulates all nominees and winners and thanks for the great recipes!