Information Technology Services staff have many talents — musicians, artists, quilters, docents, gamers, volunteers, great cooks and more. But only one has had the title of “king”.
Royce Gilbert, systems/business analyst in the Office of Mediated Education, was crowned King of the Paxico Meatloaf Festival in June 2012. This year, he also served as Grand Marshal of the Meatloaf Festival on June 22 and led the parade before passing the “Meatloaf King” title to the new winner.
Royce’s achievements are due to his culinary skills and his history of cooking since he was young.
“I have always enjoyed cooking since I learned to bake Chocolate Chip Cookies when I was in the third grade, but it wasn’t until I married into a large German family that I learned what good food really was,” Royce said.
“And my wife — and many of her aunts and uncles — are very good cooks. I learned what makes a good meatloaf from working with her in the kitchen.”
As for winning the 2012 title, “a lot of planning went into the ingredients and the presentation, and on the day of the event things were a blur in the kitchen,” Royce said.
“Getting the meatloaf out of the pan and onto the platter without it coming apart. Then making the 12-mile trip from Alma to Paxico and Woodman Hall with a ready to serve, piping-hot meatloaf. They don’t like cold meatloaf in Paxico,” he said.
What about the recipe? “Sorry, that’s a closely guarded secret, as we plan to write and publish our own cookbook in the near future,” Royce said. If you see him around campus in 2014, stop and ask when and where the cookbook will be available.
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