Darius Dupins/Entertainment Director
Red Robin honored FIU’s Chaplin School of Hospitality & Tourism Management students Michelle Diaz and Yolanda Suarez on the Burger Bash stage at last month’s South Beach Wine & Food festival.
Diaz and Suarez teamed up for Red Robin’s Golden Robin Contest and their original Loaded Baked Potato Burger recipe took the prize, beating out more than 300 submissions by other students to win a $10,000 scholarship. The prize winning burger has a chance to appear on Red Robin’s menu in the future.
“[The festival] brought us all together…we worked over 96 hours together,” Diaz told FIU Student Media has she reflected over the time spent at this years’ festival.
The Loaded Baked Potato Burger recipe came to life after Diaz and Suarez looked to see what Red Robin didn’t have on their menu. The duo also wanted to combine two favorite American bar classics.
This was the final year for Diaz and Suarez, both seniors who have plans to pursue careers in the hospitality and culinary industries. Suarez will enter in the food and beverage developmental program training at the Hilton New Orleans Riverside while Diaz will continue to grow in her kitchen manager role at Latin House.
Diaz and Suarez got to serve their winning burger to attendees of the event alongside Red Robin. The South Beach Food & Wine festival has raised more than $22 million for the Chaplin School of Hospitality & Tourism Management at FIU.
Photo courtsey of Brian Blanco for AP Images for Red Robin
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