2009 Marks Fifth Anniversary of U of I Dinner to Celebrate French Wine
Published: Oct. 15, 2009
URBANA - The fifth annual Beaujolais Nouveau Celebration will be held in the Spice Box in Bevier Hall on Monday, November 23, at 7 p.m. The event will feature a wide variety of food as it celebrates the release of the 2009 Beaujolais Nouveau wine.
"This year's celebration will be an evening full of gourmet food and French wine that people won't want to miss," said Chef Jean-Louis Ledent, the executive chef for the University of Illinois's hospitality management and dietetics programs in the Department of Food Science and Human Nutrition.
"It's very exciting to have hosted this special celebration for the community for five years," he said.
Ledent and his students will prepare an extensive cold buffet that will include jumbo shrimp, whole poached Atlantic salmon, frog leg salad, stuffed chicken and turkey, peppered beef filet, roasted season vegetables vinaigrette, mushroom "a la Grecque," homemade pâtés, cheeses, fresh fruits, desserts and more.
The annual celebration of the Beaujolais Nouveau release has become one of the most exciting and lively wine events in the world. According to French law, the Beaujolais Nouveau cannot be sold until the third Thursday of November, creating a great deal of fanfare when it is released.
"We're looking forward to showcasing our exceptional program, facilities, and students while presenting the 2009 Beaujolais Nouveau," said Ledent.
The cost to attend is $75 per person with proceeds benefiting the Department of Food Science and Human Nutrition's hospitality management program.
Funds will support the continued excellence of experiential learning in the quantity foods facilities by allowing equipment and accessory upgrades. The 2009 Beaujolais Nouveau Celebration is one of the special programs designed to help support new improvements in the students' educational experience.
The Spice Box is located on the second floor of Bevier Hall at the corner of Goodwin and Gregory in Urbana. Parking is available after 5 p.m. in the parking garage at the corner of Gregory and Dorner.
Reservations and advance payment are required by November 17. Please call (217) 333-6520 or contact Jill North Craft at jnorth@illinois.edu for more information or to make a reservation for this enjoyable evening of food and wine.
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