For the first time, Vanderbilt Hillel fielded a student team, the Hillel Hot Shots, at the 10th Annual Kosher Nashville Hot Chicken Festival on November 2, and their debut could not have gone better. Under the leadership of student captain Brandon Banashek, class of ‘27, the team took home first place in the “Best Mild Chicken” category among ten competing teams.
The Hillel Hot Shots included current parents and Nashville locals Ben Gribben and Eitan Friedman, Vanderbilt Hillel development director Shannon Small, and Vanderbilt students Spencer Gribben, Noam Friedman, Brandon Buchalter, and Amanda Malnik. In preparation for the competition, the team hosted a spirited practice hot chicken cookout, co-sponsored by Miznon, Vanderbilt Hillel’s Israeli cooking group.
The students credit their teamwork and enthusiasm for their success. “We worked really hard to make our first showing a success,” said Buchalter, an active member of Vanderbilt Hillel and Alpha Epsilon Pi Fraternity, “I’m proud of our team. We were so excited to be out in the Nashville Jewish community and meet so many amazing people.”
Team members expressed special appreciation for Ben Gribben and Eitan Friedman, whose cooking expertise proved invaluable during the competition.
Now, the winning trophy proudly stands in the front lobby of the Ben Schulman Center for Jewish Life, a symbol of Hillel spirit, teamwork, and a little Nashville heat.
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