Tastemakers: Grand Travers Taster‘s Guild Auction/Timber Ridfe Suds & Snow

Feb. 24, 2008

Grand Traverse
Tasters’ Guild Auction
Long before the Great Lakes Culinary Institute moved into its new digs along the shores of West Grand Traverse Bay, they were somewhat of an unknown commodity in the community.
Since their modest beginnings as a small hospitality and culinary program within the hidden Oleson Center on the campus of Northwestern Michigan College, the GLCI has grown up to become one of the top culinary schools in the Midwest. For the past 14 years the Grand Traverse Tasters Guild (a chapter within the International Tasters Guild) has helped to contribute to the growth of the Culinary Institute. By hosting their annual auction (Friday, February 29) the Tasters Guild has raised thousands of dollars in scholarships to assist culinary students.
The evening consists of wine tasting featuring the best of local offerings from the Leelanau and Old Mission Peninsulas and a sampling of west coast and international selections. This is a great arena to see how well wines from Michigan compare with those from famed wine regions.
But the real stars at the Tasters’ Guild are the students. They will dazzle attendees with an array of culinary offerings from around the world. Last year, students raised the bar not only with their exceptional display and presentation of foods from a dozen countries but with their stellar service and hospitality. It was refreshing to see culinary students taking a veteran, old-school approach to service. This year’s group will have a tall task to out-do their predecessors, but somehow I think that Chef Fred, Chef Lucy and their talented team will have the
students ready.
This is one of the hottest culinary events of the year, and all previous versions of the Tasters’ Guild Auction have sold out. To learn more about this and other events hosted by the Great Lakes Culinary Institute check out nmc.edu/culinary or call 231-995-1376 to purchase tickets.


Timber Ridge
Suds & Snow

Gordon Waggoner and Kristin Levesque have been all about making Timber Ridge RV & Recreation Resort Northern Michigan’s premier all-season recreational facility for activities that are often an afterthought at other resorts. Since purchasing the resort in 2005 (located southeast of Traverse City near the Hammond and 5 Mile Road intersection) they have played host to a variety of events ranging from mountain bike races to cross country ski races.
Last year, Timber Ridge launched their own event — Suds & Snow-combining snowshoeing, beer sampling and an array of beer and snowshoe friendly foods. Suds & Snow was so successful that Timber Ridge has increased the breweries and restaurants participating this year. Nine microbreweries from around the state will be on hand, including Arbor, Bell’s, Dark Horse, Founder’s, Jolly Pumpkin Artisan Ales, Leelanau Brewing, New Holland, Right Brain Brewery and Short’s (of note, brewpubs like North Peak and Mackinaw by law are not allowed to participate).
Traverse City eateries Mackinaw Brewing, TraVino, Freshwater Lodge, and Schelde’s will offer soups, sandwiches and small plates. Event participants will also be treated to snowshoeing, winter volleyball and the sounds of the Windy Ridge Boys. Proceeds from the day will benefit Bethany, a family foster care and adoption agency with a location in Traverse City.
Suds & Snow takes place this Saturday March 1 from 2 to 7 p.m. Arriving early assures you of receive one the commemorative event pint glasses. Complete details are at timberridgeresort.net, or to purchase tickets (they are limited) in advance call 231-947-2770.