MARQUETTE, Mich. (WZMQ) – On Monday evening the Ore Dock Brewing Company hosted the fourth annual “Brewfeast” fundraiser to help NMU Hospitality and Culinary students further their careers.
Chefs from local restaurants came to provide a selection of special dishes that each attending community member was invited to try.
“I know a couple of the stations tonight were looking at pork belly and waffles,” said American Culinary Federation (ACF) Member Chris Durley. “I’m not going to lie that’s the one station I know about because my mind just kind of stopped working after I heard pork belly and waffles.”
Each dish was also paired with a craft beer.
“Beer and food are just one of those things that have been arid together ever since beer has been available,” said Durley. “You hear of wine pairings, and beer pairings are growing every more popular as they have been. The flavors of the beer and the flavors of the food interact with each other and lift each other up.”
Money raised from the fundraiser will go towards helping students pay for a membership with the Upper Michigan chapter of the ACF.
“The ACF Upper Michigan Chapter has a fund, and that fund allows students in the Northern Michigan University Culinary and Hospitality program to join our organization free of charge,” said Durley. “They’re able to participate in education, networking, and just a general better understanding of our local food culture without having the burden and expense that comes with it, since they’re already paying for tuition and books and things like that.”
Beyond the financial help, the students say they learn a lot from the experience too.
“Being a student you don’t really get a lot of training in an actual restaurant,” said NMU Hospitality and Leadership Major Sophomore Sydney Filippelli. “So this is nice because it helps with skills like serving and even public speaking.”
For more information about the ACF in Upper Michigan chapter check out its website.
