The HFCC Hospitality Studies Dept. will host ‘Courses IV: Student Scholarship Dinner’ Thursday, March 29, at 6 p.m. at its student-run Fifty-One O One Restaurant in the Student & Culinary Arts Center, located on the main campus.
Given today’s economic climate, more and more people are returning to school to either hone their skills in their current field or train for a new career. However, returning to school is a financial hardship for many students, which is why this scholarship dinner is so important. ‘Courses IV’ is a fundraiser that provides critical assistance to students in HFCC’s Culinary Arts or Hotel/Restaurant Management programs.
This year’s theme is coastal Italian and includes such entrees as seppie ripeine, which is grilled calamari stuffed with shrimp, crab, parsley and garlic; and quail egg ravioli, which is house-made ravioli filled with herbed ricotta and a whole quail egg topped with a basil brown butter sauce. Adjunct Culinary Arts instructor Joe Cosenza developed this year’s theme. Cosenza is a chef at Pizzeria Biga in Southfield.
‘Joe has been generous in sharing his expertise with our students, even though he has a very busy professional life. We’re lucky to have to him here at the College,’ said Chef Eric Gackenbach, lead instructor in the Culinary Arts program.
HFCC students will prepare all dishes, which is important, since they are the individuals who benefit from the scholarships, according to Gackenbach.
‘It takes more than 100 people to produce this dinner. It’s an exciting opportunity to put together an elaborate eight-course dinner with the students and the people who are so generous to this program and to the College,’ said Gackenbach.
‘Courses IV’ is open to the public. Tickets cost $45 per person, $30 of which is a tax deductible donation to the Hospitality Department’s Scholarship Fund. Tables of six are available. Beer and wine will also be available for purchase at a cash bar.
To purchase tickets, you may send checks or bring cash to the HFCC Foundation Office, which is located on the main campus in Room 326 of the ASCC building 5101 Evergreen Rd., Dearborn, MI 48128-1495.

For further information, call (313) 845-9620.