For decades, Nebraskans (and others across the Midwest) have feasted on chili and cinnamon rolls, and extolled the virtues of the flavor combination.

While competing in the Nebraska Youth Beef Leadership Symposium in high school, Alexa Carter of Rising City, found support for her “chili roll” concept from Tiffany Heng-Moss, dean of the College of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources, and the Engler Agribusiness Entrepreneurship Program.

The “culinary challenge” portion of the animal science program’s symposium for high schoolers required students to brainstorm ideas for and create an original beef product. Carter, now a first-year agricultural education student, found herself explaining to a teammate from Kentucky the ins and outs of two Nebraska favorites: Runzas, and the chili and cinnamon roll combo.

“Suddenly I thought, ‘Wait, why don’t we combine the two?’” Carter said. Nebraska Today | January 29, 2024