That’s a wrap on our three week #CookingUpAStormTM fiesta, and if there’s one thing we’ve learnt from this challenge, it’s that our Monash family well and truly know their way around a kitchen!

With a whopping 68 entries, dishes spanned far and wide; from cheese and chocolate toasties to pesto veggie wheels and homemade scones.

But, in the end, it was a self-saucing chocolate cake and loaded vanilla, coconut, raspberry and chocolate protein cups that claimed their rise to the top.

As chosen by our (expert) judges, and engagement on social media, the following dishes took out category wins:

MOST POPULAR:

Chocolate Cake - student @jiayouhuimiin
Protein Cups - staff @breakunstler

RUNNER UP:

Bread Pudding - student @_m.0.m.0
No-knead Olive Bread - staff - Mark.Ruberto

MOST COLOURFUL

Zucchini Lasagne Roll Ups - student @dimpykamani

EASIEST DISH:

Caramelised Banana on Rye Toast - student @blyth.health

CLUB WINNERS:

Monash Cheer & Dance Club - 9
Monash Multicultural Indian Club - 7

Special mentions go out to the ever-popular ‘brookies’ – a brownie and cookie hybrid, and pizza cones – think your favourite Dominos, but in a pastry dome – both made by one of our #CookingUpAStormTM stars, Dimpy Kamani.

Overall, the challenge was a huge success and helped foster a sense of connection, despite our Monash community being far and wide.

Staff winner, Brea Kunstler said this was what originally encouraged her to take part saying she “enjoyed the challenge because it gave [her] something social to do in lockdown.”

A massive thank you goes out to everyone who took part, and for making us hungry in the process! If you’d like to check out all the individual entries and recipes (and trust us, you do), head over to our Instagram or FB page for a full recap.