Students gathered to cast their votes and weigh in on an important contest in the Drew Pub, where professors of political science and international relations duked it out for the title of top baker.
On Wednesday, Dec. 3, the Political Science and International Relations Department hosted its annual bake-off event, a tradition dating back further than any current professor’s tenure. Out of many worthy contenders, Professor Carlos Yordán’s Dubai chocolate balls took the cake, winning first place.
Yordán emphasized the help he had from his son and daughter with his dessert, both of whom were at the event, and how it was a group effort. The process of perfecting the dessert was intense, with Yordán explaining that he and his children “tried different test batches” before arriving at the right recipe.
The hard work on their part paid off, with students thoroughly enjoying the Dubai chocolate balls. Professor Patrick McGuinn’s “Yankee Snicker Doodle Dandies” were runner-up, and also a crowd-favorite.
The desserts as a whole had a heavy chocolate theme, with only two of them not containing chocolate. A carrot cake helped balance out the chocolate dominance.
To facilitate the voting process and ensure proper procedure, the Drew Student Voter Project was there to run the election. They also took the opportunity to reinforce the importance of political participation, not just in baking competitions but in elections from the local to national levels.
In addition to the baking-related festivities, the department raffled off numerous prizes, from a gift card for the school store to Drew merchandise.
For those who missed this year’s competition, they can look forward to next year, where Yordán will try to defend his title from his colleagues. It’s a can’t-miss event for sweets lovers and political science or international relations majors alike.
Nathan Moldover is a first-year majoring in political science and philosophy.
