An old-school newspaper job ad in 2009 has since expanded into a college-campus food service phenomenon, and it all started at Iowa State University. Greek House Chefs, founded in 2009, is in 31 states, on 54 campuses, employs more than 1,600 chefs and staff, and serves over three million meals annually to fraternity and sorority houses nationwide.Co-owner and chef Corey Hansen wasn’t expecting that much when he applied for what was advertised as a “private chef” position in a Central Iowa newspaper 15 years ago. His wife, Carey Hansen, co-owner, spotted the listing, and Corey decided to give it a shot. What he didn’t know at the time was that the job was inside the Gamma Phi Beta sorority house at Iowa State University, which, like many sorority and fraternity houses then, was known for heat-and-serve meals.“It was subpar food,” Carey recalled.But once her husband arrived in Ames, everything changed.He began cooking entirely from scratch, and word spread quickly. The house director at the sorority started getting calls asking, “Where did you find this guy?” Carey said.The demand grew fast. One house became three, then five, then seven. Today, Iowa State alone has about 26 Greek houses using the service, and the company serves more than 200 houses across the country, including at the University of Iowa.At first, the Hansens hired chefs from local restaurants in Des Moines. As Greek House Chefs expanded, the company began sourcing cooks from around the world — including some who have gained hundreds of thousands of followers on TikTok, making the competition for “best campus chef” fierce.Ben Stanton, the first chef the company ever hired, started at Iowa State but has since cooked at houses in Florida, Washington and Idaho. Stanton shared that the relationships he forms with students and their families last for years. “I’m Facebook friends with a good amount of their parents,” he said.That personal connection is a signature part of the company’s appeal. Carey explained parents often send notes thanking the Greek House Chefs for caring for their children, especially when illness strikes away from home. The operations range in size. In Ames, a single chef may cook five meals a week for 60 students. In Alabama, however, houses may have nine to 15 chefs serving breakfast, lunch and dinner to as many as 450 members daily. “The biggest emphasis that we’re seeing is they want restaurant-style, chef-driven food,” said Carey. The Greek House Chefs’ app allows students to request meals, upload photos, score dishes and give feedback. Chefs also upload pictures of their daily plates, which students nationwide can browse for inspiration. After all, for those spending four years away from mom and dad at school, a good warm meal may be one of the only things that makes it feel like home.» Subscribe to KCCI’s YouTube page» Download the free KCCI app to get updates on the go: Apple | Google Play
AMES, Iowa —
An old-school newspaper job ad in 2009 has since expanded into a college-campus food service phenomenon, and it all started at Iowa State University.
Greek House Chefs, founded in 2009, is in 31 states, on 54 campuses, employs more than 1,600 chefs and staff, and serves over three million meals annually to fraternity and sorority houses nationwide.
Co-owner and chef Corey Hansen wasn’t expecting that much when he applied for what was advertised as a “private chef” position in a Central Iowa newspaper 15 years ago.
His wife, Carey Hansen, co-owner, spotted the listing, and Corey decided to give it a shot.
What he didn’t know at the time was that the job was inside the Gamma Phi Beta sorority house at Iowa State University, which, like many sorority and fraternity houses then, was known for heat-and-serve meals.
“It was subpar food,” Carey recalled.
But once her husband arrived in Ames, everything changed.
He began cooking entirely from scratch, and word spread quickly. The house director at the sorority started getting calls asking, “Where did you find this guy?” Carey said.
The demand grew fast. One house became three, then five, then seven. Today, Iowa State alone has about 26 Greek houses using the service, and the company serves more than 200 houses across the country, including at the University of Iowa.
At first, the Hansens hired chefs from local restaurants in Des Moines. As Greek House Chefs expanded, the company began sourcing cooks from around the world — including some who have gained hundreds of thousands of followers on TikTok, making the competition for “best campus chef” fierce.
Ben Stanton, the first chef the company ever hired, started at Iowa State but has since cooked at houses in Florida, Washington and Idaho. Stanton shared that the relationships he forms with students and their families last for years.
“I’m Facebook friends with a good amount of their parents,” he said.
That personal connection is a signature part of the company’s appeal. Carey explained parents often send notes thanking the Greek House Chefs for caring for their children, especially when illness strikes away from home.
The operations range in size. In Ames, a single chef may cook five meals a week for 60 students. In Alabama, however, houses may have nine to 15 chefs serving breakfast, lunch and dinner to as many as 450 members daily.
“The biggest emphasis that we’re seeing is they want restaurant-style, chef-driven food,” said Carey.
The Greek House Chefs’ app allows students to request meals, upload photos, score dishes and give feedback. Chefs also upload pictures of their daily plates, which students nationwide can browse for inspiration.
After all, for those spending four years away from mom and dad at school, a good warm meal may be one of the only things that makes it feel like home.
» Subscribe to KCCI’s YouTube page
» Download the free KCCI app to get updates on the go: Apple | Google Play
Dining and Cooking