For more than a decade every year, Barnard has hosted its annual Big Sub event, which has brought the entire campus community together to break bread. (Last year’s hand-made submarine stretched 750 feet long.) The College’s culinary tradition continued this year in the form of Big Sub Week, November 9 - November 13, inviting students to share their best “sandwich” recipes — in the categories of sweet/dessert, international, childhood favorite, and breakfast — for a chance to win a $50 gift card.
The winning recipes were featured on social media, and world-renowned chef Alexandra Guarnaschelli ’91 closed out the event on November 13 with a virtual Q&A and interview about her career and her own sandwich preferences.
“Sandwiches are very emotional,” Guarnaschelli said. “I probably have 10 or 12 pieces of clothing in my closet that comprise three-quarters of my wardrobe, and I’d say I have 10 or 12 sandwiches that comprise everything I’ve ever loved.”
If she had to pick, though, it’s a croque monsieur served with watercress and a tangy salad dressing. “There’s little that’s better to me than that experience,” she said.
To shed light on the sandwich debate (Are burritos, falafels, and hot dogs sandwiches?), we checked in with the four winners to find out about their favorites and to share their yummy sandwich recipes below. —N. Jamiyla Chisholm
Sara Kirkham ’24
Sweet/Dessert Winner: "Millie's Beary Best Cream Puffs"
“To me, a sandwich is easy to assemble, easy to share, and easy to take on the go. It also, of course, has to consist of two bread-like substances surrounding a filling. And yes, I think a hotdog is a sandwich. I like a pretty simple sandwich with high-quality ingredients, like a caprese sandwich on a baguette.”
Amber Chong ’21
International Winner: “Chong Bánh mì”
“The sandwich is in the eye of the beholder. I grow a lot of herbs in my bedroom, so I love making anything that I can integrate those into (which is why this Bánh mì is one of my favorites). I'm also a big fan of basil in my grilled cheese.”
Grace Tulinsky ’24
Childhood Favorite Winner: “Bear-shaped Ham and Cheese Sandwich”
”I'll stick with the classic definition of a filling placed between two slices of bread for what makes a sandwich. To this day, I still love toasted ham and cheese sandwiches, although I no longer eat them cut into shapes. However, I'm definitely interested in exploring other sandwiches. Amber's Bánh mì looked really tasty — I'd love to be able to try it sometime!”
Carla Melaco ’21
Breakfast Sandwich Winner: “Saturday Morning Sunshine Sandwich”
“This was one of my go-to recipes to make with my mum during quarantine at home in the U.K. This recipe actually features the lettuce from my mum's home garden! Works wonderfully eaten outside and paired with a glass of fresh orange juice.”