Tastemakers: Epicurean Classic Revisited/Black Star Farms 2008 Bubbly Nuveau

Epicurean Classic Revisited
A few weeks back the Great Lakes Culinary Institute announced that they were dropping the Epicurean Classic after a five year run. Big mistake! Okay, I understand some of the reasoning behind their decision. “It is too tough on the students and staff because the event takes place at the start of the school year,” and some students get “stuck with crap assignments like washing dishes for nine hours.”
Those are the exact reasons why the Culinary Institute and Northwestern Michigan College should reconsider its decision and stay involved with the Epicurean Classic. The classroom is important, but so is the real world. The students during Epicurean were being flung into what the real world of food and beverage is all about.
This is a tough business that requires long hours and, regardless of your position, you are never immune to “crap” assignments. The Epicurean Classic gives students a taste of the realities of this business and better to learn early. So if you can’t take the heat, get out of the kitchen and find another career. Food service is not just a career -- it is a lifestyle, it is a passion.
So let’s talk solutions. First, why are they suggesting all or nothing? It seems that the Culinary Institute could still handle some of the event. Sit down with the organizers and discuss what is manageable and the rest may be moved to other venues around the community.
This Culinary Institute was built with community money, a lot of us with large and small donations contributed to building the school and we lobbied our legislators for taxpayer dollars to fund the rest. You have some obligation to give back to the community that supported you.
If this is about the students, then make the parts of the event that are best for the students work for them. Continue to have the classes and maybe just one reception. Students benefit from this event by making contacts with chefs and others during the weekend. A couple years back; Mario Batali hired one of the students.
The Epicurean Classic has been good for the image of our community. It has helped to put the region on the “foodie” destination map. The same may be said for The Great Lakes Culinary Institute, as this event has been good for your image. it has helped to thrust the program to national prominence. So go back and read the Mission, Vision & Values statement of Northwestern Michigan College. It says “NMC provides lifelong learning opportunities for our communities. NMC will be the resource of choice for higher education, lifelong learning and cultural experiences. NMC will be an essential contributor to quality of life and a vibrant economy. We will demonstrate collaborative and inventive approaches to education… we will continuously improve the learning experience and its relevance to those we serve through innovation, agility and thoughtful risk-taking.”
Northwestern Michigan College has been one of the most important assets to our region and a team player in our community. So don’t change now; instead, sit down with Epicurean Classic organizers and make it happen in 2009. after all, it is in your mission statement.

Black Star Farms 2008 Bubbly Nouveau

When you pick up a bottle of the 2008 Bubbly Nouveau from Black Star Farms, you might get the idea that winemaker Lee Lutes and crew just slapped some scrap paper on bottles and scribbled on it. It is exactly what Lutes wanted to convey.
The 2008 Bubbly Nouveau is made in the typical nouveau style (first wines of the current harvest as these grapes were just picked a few weeks ago) and represents a fresh wine that is to be released immediately and consumed as such. Here is Lutes perspective on his first-ever Bubbly Nouveau: “It is intensely fruity and youthful.”
Made from 100% Cayuga grapes, this wine is reminiscent of a Riesling with subtle fruit flavors of apricot, apple, and melon. Pair with seasonal dishes and appetizers.
I would suggest having this on your Thanksgiving table. it will pair perfectly with the turkey. Again, Black Star Farms has another winner on their hands. What I like about what they and many of the other wineries do is that they constantly keep things fun. and drinking wine should be fun.
The “bubbles” make this a perfect celebratory beverage; and with the election on Tuesday, here are the Bottoms Up predications on who will be raising a glass of the Black Star Farms 2008 Bubbly Nouveau: Obama will be in the White House; Levin will stay in the Senate; Stupak, Camp and Hoesktra will remain in the U.S. House; Both State ballot proposals will pass (medical marijuana, embryonic stem cell research). Remember to vote on Tuesday. Check blackstarfarms.com for more information on their Bubbly Nouveau and the other wines they make.
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