San Diego Mesa College’s Culinary Arts/Management students, faculty and alumni will
celebrate their new home in the Culinary Outlook at Mesa Commons with a an exciting
fundraiser on Thursday, April 6 from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m.
Taste of Mesa will feature internationally-inspired cuisine and three cook-off competitions
between alumni, students and an advanced baking team. Those in attendance will be
able to bid on a selection of food-themed silent auction of items such as restaurant
gift cards, liquors, wine and culinary tools.
VIP ticketholders will get to judge the culinary competitions, watch a celebrity chef
competition, and receive culinary swag along with reserved parking.
“All proceeds benefit the Culinary Arts/Management Program, one of the premier Culinary
Arts programs in San Diego County,” said Anne Zacovic, Director of Resource Development
for the Mesa Foundation. “Many of the graduates of this rigorous program have gone
on to be successful chefs, managers, and caterers.”
Culinary Arts/Management Professor Tonya Whitfield said that funds raised will allow
the program to purchase ingredients that can help train students for the farm to table
style restaurants that are becoming more common in today’s market.
“The students need to learn what is changing in the industry, and we need to teach
them more before they leave,” Whitfield said. “With this fundraiser, we can do more
for them.”
The department is starting to gravitate toward the local food movement by incorporating
a new rooftop garden that will be folded into the current curriculum once the potting
system is completed. Students will tend to the garden as part of their weekly assignments
and the produce will be used in dishes in the M Fusion Café and gourmet dining classes.
Tickets for the Taste of Mesa are $25 for students, $50 for the general public and
$125 for VIP.
To purchase tickets for the event, visit www.sdmesa.edu/tasteofmesa. For information regarding sponsorship opportunities for the event, contact Anne
Zacovic at azacovic@sdccd.edu and for information on getting involved as an alumnus from Mesa’s Culinary Arts/Culinary
Management program, contact Professor Tonya Whitfield at twhitfie@sdccd.edu.

Tags: Taste of Mesa, Culinary Arts