Dede Wilson Visits UMass Dining Commons

Just last Wednesday, UMass Amherst was graced by a minor celebrity. You may not have heard of her, but she makes monthly visits to the Today Show and has been on The View. Her name is Dede Wilson and she is a talented chef, author, and self professed choco-holic (only the dark stuff!).

Wilson has made numerous visits to UMass and greatly enjoys them. She usually is a guest chef once or twice a year at Berkshire Dining Commons, UMass’s newest -and nicest- DC addition. Last week, the focus was springtime, and Wilson decorated cupcakes for students to watch.

I was asked to write a short piece on her visit for the UMass Dining Commons newsletter. Here is the first draft:

TV personality and dessert chef extraordinaire Dede Wilson made her second visit this year to the Berkshire Dining Commons on March 25. The theme was “It’s Spring- Sweet!” This is the third year in a row that she has visited UMass as a guest chef.

Wilson donned a festive pink apron and decorated cupcakes in the private dining room. She mixed food coloring into white frosting and worked her magic as students filed in and excitedly decorated their own cupcakes.

There were plenty of toppings to choose from in order to create the perfect spring themed cupcake. Students could put gummy worms into a chocolate cupcake to make it look as if a worm was coming out of dirt. Among the many types of candies, there were pieces of licorice and small chocolate eggs to create mini Easter baskets.

Wilson believes her chef skills and great sense of taste come from her parents.

“They were both very good cooks, and we always sat down for meals together.”

Although Wilson loves to cook and bake dinners, her heart clearly lies with desserts.

“They really get my creative juices flowing…I love developing recipes. It feeds my soul.”

Wilson has appeared on “The Today Show” numerous times and was even a guest on “The View” a few years ago. She has been a contributing editor to Bon-Appétit Magazine for 5 years. Wilson has written many cookbooks, which specialize in wedding cakes and other desserts.

“My greatest accomplishment food-wise has been publishing my first book [on wedding cakes] —and having an ISBN number in the Library of Congress!”

Wilson attended Hampshire College as an undergraduate after moving from New York City. Years ago, her first culinary job was in Northampton as a pastry chef. She has been living in Amherst since!

“I am very impressed [by the Dining Services at UMass]! I didn’t have this when I went to school.”

Side note: Dede Wilson also enjoys showing her bull terriors at dog shows. She recently participated in a competition at Edison, New Jersey. She has three of her own dogs at home and co-owns other dogs.

Click here to watch her video on The Today Show.

Too Good to Be True?

Fondue Night at the UMass Amherst Dining Commons

Being Valentine’s Day, it is only appropriate that I discuss chocolate.  In this tough economic times, chocolate is the cheap, simple way to show someone you care.  (Hint: Dove is my favorite.) For years, chocolate was heralded as the “forbidden fruit” by some, while others pop Hershey’s Kisses without worry. What’s a girl to do?

In recent years, research studies have shown that dark chocolate has health benefits, because of the high content of cacao and flavanoids, which prevent blood clots and clogged arteries. In addition, dark chocolate (and red wine) has antioxidants, which improve one’s immune system. Chocolate is also thought to improve memory, skin, and muscles. Ingredients in chocolate are also thought to improve moods (Hmm…no wonder I tend to reach for some after a long day).

Most of the said information is common knowledge at this point. But, buyers beware! It is important to not go overboard with this delicious news. Chocolate also contains loads of sugar and fat (although the saturated fats do not raise bad cholesterol).  Chocolate lovers need to maintain a healthy balance of diet and exercise. Good news, though: chocolate contains much less caffeine than an average cup of coffee. A few pieces of chocolate a day won’t hurt, but you have to be aware of the caloric intake, and don’t have a bag of gummy worms in addition.

In Canada, chocolate has already started to be marketed as a health food. A company called Smart Confections has released a line of candy bars called Chocolate+Plus.  Prof. Blumberg, a nutrition professor from Tufts University, claims that this is  “too good to be true.” The company claims that the bars are “scientifically enhanced to deliver specific health benefits.” One bar boasts it will give the consumer a restful sleep, while another bar will apparently make your bones stronger. If these products become more mainstream, people may start treating this “healthy” chocolate bars as granola bars and have one or more a day.

Moderation is key, when it comes to chocolate and red wine. Don’t finish off that bottle of wine or box of chocolates tonight simply because you feel like cleaning up those arteries.