A four-course dinner will do more than put an impressive meal on the table Sept. 29. It will also give Pellissippi State Community College students an opportunity to learn alongside industry professionals while raising money for their programs.
The Pellissippi State Foundation will host its second annual Plates for a Purpose from 6:30-8:30 p.m. at The Plaid Apron, 1210 Kenesaw Ave. Presented by The Wakefield Corporation, the evening will feature a four-course dinner with paired wines while supporting Pellissippi State’s Culinary Arts and Hospitality Management programs.
“Plates for a Purpose is a wonderful example of what can happen when our community and industry partners invest in our students,” said Aneisa Rolen, executive director of the Pellissippi State Foundation.
Rolen said the addition of sponsorships in the event’s second year has significantly increased its fundraising potential. She credited presenting sponsor The Wakefield Corporation and the other sponsors with building on the success of last year’s inaugural event and providing additional resources and opportunities for students.
Pellissippi State faculty will work with The Plaid Apron’s Chef Drew McDonald and Chef Kevin Green of Kevin Green Elevates to create the menu. Diners can expect selections ranging from bacon mushroom trout roulade and vanilla pickled fennel to herb-crusted lamb loin chop and honey yogurt mousse.
But this dinner puts students on the other side of the table, too.
Proceeds support students in the college’s Culinary Arts and Hospitality Management concentrations as they prepare for careers as chefs, hospitality professionals and industry leaders. The event also supports Pellissippi State’s vision of becoming a “career immersion college” by putting students alongside working professionals in a real-world setting.
Joseph Blauvelt, department head of Culinary Arts, said traditional coursework gives students the core technical skills they need, but live events add something the classroom cannot fully duplicate. Events such as Plates for a Purpose place students in fast-paced hospitality situations, move them beyond their comfort zones, and give them experience interacting directly with guests.
Individual tickets are $150, and seating is limited.
The Pellissippi State Foundation also recognized the businesses and individuals supporting this year’s event:
- Presenting sponsor: The Wakefield Corporation
- Wine sponsor: Carrie Poteat, Knoxville Beverage
- Centerpiece sponsor: Kathy and Butch Peccolo
- Course sponsors: Cassie and Jonathan Smith; Nancy Voith and Kenneth Stark; Lynda Newton
- Napkin sponsor: Gordon Food Service
For the students, Plates for a Purpose offers more than one evening of fine dining. It provides a chance to put classroom skills to work, learn from professionals, and show guests firsthand the talent being developed at Pellissippi State.
Follow KnoxTNToday on Facebook, Instagram, X, and LinkedIn. Get all KnoxTNToday articles in one place with our free newsletter. Comments may be sent to news@knoxtntoday.com.
