Savannah Sawyer
Contributing writer
College is a hard time for anyone to try and be healthy. It’s often hard to eat right and exercise with such busy schedules. But, Kevin Roberts wants to teach everyone how to do just that.
Kevin Roberts, also known as “The Food Dude” from the Food Network, will speak Tuesday in the Curris Center.
Alex Green, lecture chair for the Campus Activities Board, said Roberts will host a seminar to teach students how to make quick easy snacks in the comfort of a dorm room. The seminar is 8 p.m. Tuesday in the Curris Center Ballroom and is free to the public.
“He travels around to college campuses and teaches them how students can cook healthy meals in their residential colleges,” Green said. “He does a lot of nutrition in addition to convenience, like things you can do in a toaster oven or a residential kitchen. Things that you can conveniently use.”
Green said Roberts’ performance was showcased at the National Association of Campus Activities Convention in Boston.
“Different performers, musicians (and) comedians applied and presented for every college that goes to this (conference) and he was one of the performers there,” Green said. “We really enjoyed him.”
Jeanie Morgan, coordinator of student activities, said the student delegates thought he would host an excellent event for the campus.
Morgan said the event should be fun because of Roberts’ experience with food and television. Roberts, who has his own show on TLC called “BBQ PitMasters,” has appeared on more than 100 television programs promoting his work.
“The Kevin Roberts ‘The Food Dude’ show is extremely entertaining, interactive and even educational,” she said.
In addition to his television program, he has released two cookbooks geared toward young adults.
According to Munchiestv.com, “His acclaimed cookbook ‘Munchies’ is targeted toward the starving, struggling to find quick, simple and tasty alternatives to the campus dining halls and fast foods. With recipes like west coast wings, tater tot hash and cinnamon roasted grapefruit, Roberts’ book expresses the sentiment that there is more to cooking than complex recipes and expensive ingredients.”
Green, who also helped with the Maya Angelou lecture earlier this semester, said he was looking forward to Roberts’ presentation.
“I’m actually going to school to be a chef so I’m super excited to work with him and see how he could help me out,” he said.
Green said Roberts puts on a high-energy performance with each show and loves audience participation.
“He’s a spokesperson for Franks Wing Sauce (so he) calls people up on stage to do shots of hot sauce,” he said. “He passes out food. He’s super high energy and a really fun individual. He’ll make it a good time. If you’re not interested in cooking at all, he’ll make you interested.”
Prior to the seminar, Roberts will pick the winner of the Dish It Up contest from the top four local contestants chosen last Saturday at the football game.
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