College of DuPage’s 12th annual “Traditions in Excellence” food and wine dinner event is set from 5:30 to 9 p.m. Tuesday, April 21. The event is an opportunity for the college’s culinary students to showcase their skills, while raising money to enhance the Hospitality Administration program.

This year’s event presents an elegant, four-course dinner prepared by the students. The evening will begin with a champagne reception featuring plated appetizers at 5:30 p.m. Dinner will begin at 7 p.m.  At about 8:30 p.m., the live auction will start. Finishing off the evening, guests will enjoy a selection of desserts served at 8:30 p.m.
 
The College of DuPage will recognize one of its exemplary graduates,  Gus Vonderheide, vice president, Hyatt Corporation.

Throughout the evening, guests can peruse the silent and live auction items. They may bid on such items as a four-day, three-night trip to Napa, Calif., with round-trip airfare for two on United Airlines; dinner for eight at home with chefs from the college’s Hospitality Administration; and a Jade, commercial-grade, in-home stainless steel oven/stove. All proceeds from the event will go directly to the Hospitality Program and expansion, whose plans include a new hotel lab with a hotel front desk, hotel room and reception area, two kitchens, two bake shops, a chocolate room, a bistro, and a new culinary market. The project is scheduled for completion in 2012.

The “Traditions in Excellence” event began in 1998. During the past 11 years, it has provided numerous scholarships and equipment for the College of DuPage’s pastry kitchen, the culinary theater, the culinary market and many supplies that directly support the program.

“Traditions in Excellence” tickets cost $75. The event is held in the Grand Ballroom in the Student Resource Center (The Jack H. Turner Conference Center), 425 Fawell Blvd., Glen Ellyn. Dress is business attire. For tickets, call the Hospitality Administration Office at (630) 942-3663. Tickets may be purchased at the door if available.

Check the Web site at www.TraditionsInExcellence.com for more information, or to download a copy of the invitation, donation form and auction item lists.