Cincy State will host Cinti International Wine Festival judging; MCI students benefit from CIWF funding

In March 2025, Cincinnati State’s Midwest Culinary Institute will host the Judges Panel wine tasting for the 2025 Cincinnati International Wine Festival (CIWF). 

Forty judges will visit the College as part of the annual regional event that brings together wine lovers to raise funds for arts, education, and health and human services agencies in the Greater Cincinnati area. Over the past 30 years, the Festival has raised more than $7 million in funds for local organizations.

MCI Director Michael Whitley said the College has “a great history and partnership with CIWF,” including many faculty, staff members, and students who volunteer at the Festival each year and prepare thousands of desserts for Festival visitors to sample.

As one of Cincinnati State’s longest-running benefactors, CIWF has provided awards to the College every year starting in 2003, and continuing for more than 20 years. This year the College received $22,500.

The annual grant from CIWF is used to fund scholarships for MCI students in honor of CIWF’s founder, Russ Wiles. When funds allow, students with emergency needs also can receive money to cover the cost of their required knife kits.

This year, 13 students each received a $2,000 Russ Wiles Culinary Scholarship, using funds from the current award and unexpended funds from previous years. These students are enrolled in a range of MCI programs including Culinary Arts, Culinary & Food Science, Pastry Arts, Hospitality, and Brewing Science.