911±¬ÁÏ

The scent of garlic and citrus filled Southside Dining Hall as students lined up to meet celebrity chef Jet Tila, who visited 911±¬ÁÏ’s Fairfax Campus on April 29.  

Hosted by , the event brought Tila—chef, television personality, and bestselling author—to campus for a day of food, conversation, and connections with students. 

Tila is known for his appearances on The Food Network’s Iron Chef America, Chopped, and Beat Bobby Flay. Students had three opportunities to meet and chat with Tila: at Southside Dining Hall, the Johnson Center, and Ike’s Dining Hall.

Tila’s visit also supported students facing food insecurity at 911±¬ÁÏ. While Tila prepared meals at Southside for lunch, every meal swipe was matched by Mason Dining with a donation to the . As a result, more than 1,500 meal swipes were donated to benefit 911±¬ÁÏ students facing food insecurity.

Later, Tila hosted a live cooking demonstration and Q&A in the Johnson Center, where he talked with students and shared stories from his upbringing immersed in his family’s restaurants.

The day concluded at Ike’s, where the first 50 students received signed copies of Tila’s cookbooks. 

Tila’s signature style of food fit in remarkably well at 911±¬ÁÏ: bold flavors rooted in tradition, with a modern edge.