Best of luck, Rosalyn!

Sisters of Providence sous chef a finalist in puree competition

Rosalyn Rawley’s background was not in cooking. But after beginning employment with Morrison Living with the Sisters of Providence, her interest in the culinary arts took off.

Now, the sous chef is headed to the Puree with a Purpose finals, joining three other chefs in a contest that shows off their puree skills.

The finals will take place Sept. 17-18 in Charlotte, North Carolina.

Rosalyn has been with the Sisters of Providence for eight years now. Starting out as a server in the Providence Hall Dining Room, she eventually started cooking in 2021.

“I had no cooking experience,” she lamented. Not to worry, though. Rosalyn got all the training she needed through Morrison Living and the Sisters of Providence.

Now, her duties include cooking and scheduling weekly menus among other things.

Rosalyn learned of the contest through Morrison Living and decided to enter it.

“I stepped out of my comfort zone, for sure. But I enjoy making food,” Rosalyn said. “Even with experience, I’m still nervous.”

The contest requires chefs to blend the ingredients and make them look like an actual food dish for those who have to eat pureed food.

For example, one of Rosalyn’s plates included chicken teriyaki on top of coconut rice noodles with some broccoli and carrots. Her dessert was a yellow cake with a strawberry glaze and homemade whipped topping.

That dish earned Rosalyn a trip to the contest finals, and the Sisters of Providence are cheering her on. During the semifinals, Rosalyn said she was judged on taste, texture, accuracy and sanitation in the kitchen.

“I think it’s wonderful,” Sister Claire Hanson said. “The pictures of her pureed food are so amazing. It’s very creative.”

“The Sisters are excited for me,” Rosalyn said. “They’ve been cheering me on since the first submission.”

“We are so happy for her,” Sister Claire added. “It’s so exciting. She’s such a wonderful woman and does so much for us. She deserves to be recognized.”

Like the semifinals, the finals will consist of a main course and dessert.

“This has been a learning curve, for sure,” Rosalyn admitted. “I just can’t believe it. I’m excited, but I’m also nervous.”