Holistic Chef Student Katelyn Ritchie Wins Best Presentation for Bauman College’s Summer Recipe Contest

Content Summary

In this final installment of our 2026 Summer Recipe Writing Contest series, Bauman College celebrates Katelyn Ritchie, winner of the Best Presentation Award for her Summertime Tomato, Cucumber, and Radish Salad. Discover how Katelyn transformed from a self-described picky eater into a future culinary educator after studying abroad in Russia, and explore the thoughtful culinary techniques—from paper-thin mandoline cuts to toasted sunflower seeds—that made her seasonal salad shine.

• A Personal Evolution: How living with a host mother in Russia introduced Katelyn to daily market-fresh salads, shifting her perspective on vegetables and inspiring her holistic culinary path.
• Technique & Artistry: Why thin mandoline-shaved radishes, varied knife cuts, and marinating vegetables directly in olive oil and herbs created an approachable, visually striking plate.
• Honoring Tradition: How adding toasted sunflower seeds pays homage to Eastern European culinary staples while providing texture, warmth, and nutritional value.

Some recipes nourish more than the body; they tell a story, preserve cherished memories, and inspire us to see familiar ingredients in a whole new way. That is exactly why Katelyn Ritchie earned the Best Presentation Award in our 2026 Summer Recipe Writing Contest.

Her vibrant Summertime Tomato, Cucumber, and Radish Salad captured the hearts of our judges with its beautiful presentation, thoughtful recipe writing, and heartfelt connection to a life-changing experience studying abroad in Russia.

A Salad That Changed Everything

For Katelyn, this recipe is much more than a collection of fresh vegetables.

Before studying abroad in Russia, she describes herself as an extremely picky eater who rarely enjoyed vegetables. Living with her host mother introduced her to an entirely different way of eating; one centered around fresh, seasonal produce and simple preparations that allowed every ingredient to shine.

Every day brought a new salad made with whatever vegetables were at their peak, transforming what had once been a dreaded side dish into an exciting culinary adventure. The recipe she submitted is a tribute to those meals, combining her favorite elements from the many salads her host mother lovingly prepared.

It wasn’t just the flavors that stayed with her; it was the experience of discovering how delicious fresh vegetables could truly be.

Simplicity That Lets Fresh Ingredients Shine

Rather than covering the vegetables with a heavy dressing, Katelyn chose a simple seasoning approach after extensive recipe testing. She found that allowing the tomatoes, cucumbers, and radishes to marinate with herbs, seasonings, and olive oil preserved their bright, vibrant flavors far better than a traditional dressing.

Even the smallest details were intentional.

Her decision to shave the radishes paper-thin on a mandoline helps distribute their peppery bite evenly throughout the salad, making them approachable even for people who normally avoid radishes. The varied knife cuts create a balance of juicy tomatoes, crisp cucumbers, and delicate slices that make every bite interesting.

These thoughtful culinary decisions are exactly what elevated her recipe beyond simply being delicious; they demonstrated exceptional technique, creativity, and attention to detail.

Honoring Tradition with a Personal Twist

One of the most unique elements of Katelyn’s recipe is her use of toasted sunflower seeds.

While sunflower oil was a staple in her host mother’s kitchen, Katelyn wanted to honor that tradition while adding her own creative touch. Toasted sunflower seeds bring crunch, warm nutty flavor, and additional nutritional value to the finished salad, perfectly complementing the fresh vegetables while celebrating one of the season’s iconic crops.

It’s these kinds of thoughtful decisions that demonstrate how recipes can evolve while still respecting their roots.

More Than Beautiful, It Was Beautifully Written

The Best Presentation Award recognizes far more than an attractive finished dish.

Katelyn’s recipe featured:

A warm, inviting introduction that immediately connects readers to the inspiration behind the dish.

Clear, detailed instructions that made the recipe approachable for home cooks.

Thoughtful explanations behind ingredient choices and preparation techniques.

Excellent organization and professional formatting.

Beautiful visual presentation during both the written submission and cooking demonstration.

Every element worked together to create a recipe that wasn’t only easy to follow—it was enjoyable to read.

From Picky Eater to Future Culinary Educator

Perhaps the most inspiring part of Katelyn’s story is how dramatically food changed the course of her life.

What began as a reluctant willingness to try fresh vegetables overseas sparked an entirely new passion for nutrition and cooking. That journey ultimately led her to pursue holistic culinary education after realizing that understanding nutrition was only part of the equation; people also need practical cooking skills to bring healthy eating to life.

Today, Katelyn hopes to teach culinary classes that help others expand their palates with confidence and curiosity. She envisions working alongside integrative health practitioners while also creating community cooking classes of her own, empowering people to discover the joy of preparing nourishing foods.

Because she remembers what it felt like to be intimidated by unfamiliar ingredients, she hopes to make that journey easier for others.

Celebrating Seasonal Eating

Katelyn also hopes her recipe helps challenge common misconceptions about Eastern European cuisine.

While many people associate Russia with hearty winter dishes, her experience was filled with colorful seasonal produce purchased fresh from neighborhood markets each day. Her host mother regularly shopped for the day’s vegetables, herbs, fruits, and meats, creating meals that celebrated whatever was freshest.

That philosophy of seasonal eating became one of the greatest gifts Katelyn brought home, and one she now shares through her cooking.

Congratulations, Katelyn!

Congratulations to Katelyn Ritchie, our Best Presentation Award winner in the Quick Summer Appetizer Recipe Contest!

Your beautifully crafted summer salad reminds us that the best recipes don’t simply feed us; they tell stories, preserve traditions, inspire healthier habits, and connect us across cultures.

Thank you for sharing your journey, your creativity, and your passion with our community. We can’t wait to see where your culinary path leads next!

Follow Katelyn’s Journey through her Instagram Page: @katelynritchiewellness

Summertime Tomato, Cucumber, and Radish Salad

By Katelyn Ritchie
Servings | 2
Prep Time | 15 minutes Cook Time | 0 minutes Total Time | 15 minutes

During a summer trip to St. Petersburg, Russia, my host mother would often make a simple vegetable salad like this one as an appetizer. Its bright, fresh flavors were the perfect contrast to the richer dishes that followed. Made with ripe tomatoes, crisp cucumbers, peppery radishes, and fresh herbs, this salad is inspired by summer nights in St. Petersburg and celebrates the abundance of the season. Cutting the vegetables into similarly sized, bite-sized pieces ensures every forkful has a balance of tomato, cucumber, herbs, and radish while making the salad easier to eat. This recipe also doubles beautifully for sharing.

INGREDIENTS

• 1 large English or American cucumber
• 2 red globe radishes
• 1 large vine-ripened or heirloom tomato
• 2 tablespoons chopped fresh dill fronds
• 2 tablespoons chopped flat-leaf parsley leaves
• 2 scallions, thinly sliced on the bias (both green and white parts)
• 1/2 teaspoon Diamond Crystal kosher salt, plus more to taste
• 2 teaspoons white wine vinegar
• 4 teaspoons extra-virgin olive oil
• 2 teaspoon toasted sunflower seeds

INSTRUCTIONS

1. Cut the cucumber crosswise in half. Reserve ½ of the cucumber for another use. Working with the remaining half, halve it lengthwise and use a spoon to scoop out the seeds. Reserve the seeds for another use, such as blending into a smoothie. Slice each cucumber half lengthwise again to create quarters, then cut crosswise into ¼-inch pieces. Transfer to a small mixing bowl.
2. Trim the root ends from the radishes. Using the thinnest setting on a mandoline, carefully shave the radish into paper-thin slices. (Wear a cut-resistant glove if using a mandoline.) Alternatively, slice as thinly as possible with a chef’s knife. Add to the mixing bowl with the cucumber.
3. Remove the tomato core by inserting the tip of a paring knife at a 45-degree angle and cutting around the core until it releases. Cut the tomato in half and slice into ½- to ¾-inch wedges, then cut each wedge in half crosswise to create bite-sized pieces. Transfer to the mixing bowl with the other vegetables.
4. Add the chopped dill, parsley, and scallions to the mixing bowl with the vegetables.
5. Sprinkle the kosher salt over the vegetables and herbs, and gently toss to combine.
6. Drizzle with the vinegar and olive oil and toss gently until evenly coated.
7. Taste and adjust the seasoning as needed. Add more vinegar for brightness, olive oil for richness, and/or kosher salt to bring out the natural sweetness of the vegetables.
8. Finish with the toasted sunflower seeds and, if desired, a pinch of flaky sea salt. Let the salad rest for 5 minutes before serving so the vegetables can lightly marinate and the flavors have time to come together.

Notes

Substitutions: Fresh herbs are essential to both the flavor and texture of this salad, so dried herbs are not recommended. Feel free to experiment with different varieties of tomatoes, cucumbers, or radishes depending on what’s available. For a different crunch, substitute the sunflower seeds with toasted pumpkin seeds or toasted buckwheat groats.

White wine vinegar can be replaced with apple cider vinegar or a squeeze of fresh lemon juice.

Make-ahead tips: This salad is best assembled just before serving. After resting for 5 minutes, enjoy it immediately for the freshest texture.

Allergen Information: Nightshades

Explore the 2026 Summer Recipe Writing Contest

Katelyn’s award-winning salad is just one of the incredible highlights from our summer recipe contest. To see the full list of winners, watch the Awards Ceremony video, and access the upcoming spotlights for our Best Written and Most Original categories, check out our main announcement post: Winners of Bauman College’s 2026 Summer Recipe Writing Contest