Published August 7, 2024
Melissa Cole, Pensacola State College Foundation
For over fifteen years, President’s Circle donors of Pensacola State College eagerly await the annual President’s appreciation reception. Each summer, donors who give $1,000 or more annually are celebrated with a culinary showcase presented by current and graduating students of the PSC Molly McGuire School of Culinary Arts and Hospitality Management. To honor the continued support of PSC’s leading donors, this year’s Garde Manger was transformed into an elevated experience named Graze, Grapes, & Grains.
New to the event, guests were met with an interactive twist that allowed them to play a hand in the evening’s conclusion. Upon arriving, they received a special ticket to be placed in the ballot box of the student chef whose cuisine pleased their palate the most.
This year, twelve culinary students competed for a chance at a first-place cash prize of $500 or second place cash prize of $250. With tickets in hand, donors were encouraged to sample as many creations as possible, factoring in theme, taste, and overall table presentation into their final decision.
The chefs going head-to-head with one another at Graze, Grapes, & Grains were:
- Barbara Alisme
- Justin Cobb
- Emilia Collins
- Patricia Kelley
- Marquez Lawler
- Jordan Lewis
- Niea Lewis
- Leonardo Mendoza Zaragoza
- Steven Ortiz
- Javier Ruiz
- Kyler Sohns
- Rayshawn Stallings
Guests also enjoyed the opportunity to meet and mingle with the owners and staff of local businesses “A Curious Wine Shop” and “Old Hickory Whiskey Bar” who held their own tasting stations.
Hilary Towns, and her husband John, provided an array of tastefully chosen wines and champagnes. The pair co-own A Curious Wine Shop in the historic Sacred Heart Hospital.
Whiskey connoisseurs were able to try a selection of American mash and Irish malt whiskeys poured by Tucker O’Connor, Events Coordinator for Old Hickory Whiskey Bar. Old Hickory, in downtown Pensacola, is owned and operated by Katie and Tony Garrett.
One PSC culinary graduate and past scholarship recipient, Heather Harvill, is so particularly fond of the PSC Molly McGuire School of Culinary Arts and Hospitality Management that she continues to return to provide her sushi craftsmanship at this annual event.
“I love this program, I love the events, and I love the chefs,” Heather shared. “They’ve not only been teachers and mentors but also an incredible and encouraging support system for myself as well as the other students.”
Heather, who has since graduated from PSC’s culinary program, is now in the process of completing the hospitality management program while pursuing her associate and bachelor’s degrees in business entrepreneurship. Through her studies, she plans to grow her newly founded business, This Lola Chefs, LLC, into a successful venture.
Chefs David Langham, Joni Hoang, and Tatyana Hulsey took to the stage to thank and acknowledge the donors in attendance, introduce the Molly McGuire School of Culinary Arts and Hospitality Management staff, and commend the student chefs on their talent.
Adding to the festivities, the chefs drew names and presented four lucky winners: Linda Stolhanske, Mary Hoxeng, Mike Craney, and Dr. David Sutton, with certificates for complimentary tables at the coveted PSC lunch and dinner series.
As the grand finale of Graze, Grapes, & Grains, PSC President Ed Meadows announced the first-ever 2024 Donor’s Choice Award winners.
Second place was awarded to Niea Lewis, whose table included various seafood fusions of crab-stuffed shrimp, Japanese seafood sandwiches, and cured salmon cucumber crawfish mousse. First place was awarded to Rayshawn Stallings whose table featured American southern comfort bites of deviled eggs, bacon-jam crostini, and fresh fruit parfaits.
Aside from bragging rights for the remainder of the year, both Lewis and Stallings were recognized with commemorative photos alongside PSC leadership.
Interested in supporting Pensacola State College and becoming a member of the President’s Circle level of giving? Discover how your contributions enhance Pensacola State College here.
To view photos from the Graze, Grapes, & Grain President’s Circle appreciation reception, click here and browse the image gallery.