Midwest Culinary Institute was showcased at Cinti International Wine Festival

Academics, Food, Fundraisers, Students

May 27, 2022

Reporting by Michael Vanfleet

Bags of treats distributed at Wine Festival — Overhead photo of "treat bags" provided by Michael Vanfleet

Students and faculty members representing Cincinnati State’s Midwest Culinary Institute were part of the Cincinnati International Wine Festival “Grand Tasting” event held May 20 and 21 at Duke Energy Center.

The Cincinnati State booth offered treats to Festival attendees, along with information about CState programs in Culinary Arts, Pastry Arts, Brewing Science, and Hospitality.

A total of 3,000 treat bags (see photo above) were distributed, with six desserts in each bag: a chocolate truffle, two dried meringues, two butter nest cookies, and a vanilla chocolate shortbread cookie.
Chef Michael Vanfleet said Wine Festival attendees were “thrilled with the treats,” and thanked MCI for taking part in the Festival.

Chef Vanfleet, who coordinated Cincinnati State participation for the Festival, expressed appreciation to the student and faculty volunteers who assisted:

Chef Betsy LaSorella helped prepare the 18,000 desserts needed for treat bags.
Chef Meg Galvin, Chef Mark Koury, and retired Chef Jeff Sheldon helped distribute treats at the Festival.
Student helpers (from the Culinary, Pastry, and Brewing Science programs) included Sara Abboud, Kylene Allen, Taylor Czirr, Santana Finnell, Brian Flanders, Ashley Goebel, Charlotte Huxel, Richard Miller, Lee Ransdell, and Koree Scroggins.
MCI Associate Jay Zwerin helped with delivery and logistics.
Jackie Norton provided marketing materials to distribute.

Chef LaSorella, the Program Chair for the Culinary, Pastry, and Brewing programs, thanked Chef Vanfleet for his hard work organizing MCI participation, and thanked the faculty and students for taking time to support the programs and increase scholarship opportunities for future students through Wine Festival grants.

The Cincinnati International Wine Festival is a non-profit organization that raises funds for local charities while supporting the wine industry.

During the past 30 years, the Festival has become one of the largest premier wine events in the country, raising more than $6.5 million in funds for grants.
Grants have been made to over 30 Greater Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky organizations (including Cincinnati State) that provide programming for the arts, education, and health and human services.