Archives News

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Contact: Ann Hatch
214-378-1819; ahatch@dcccd.edu

For immediate release — Feb. 18, 2013

(DALLAS) — It’s all about the food. And exploring the “food network” for culinary arts students at El Centro College literally means learning about food, meeting chefs who are alumni of the college’s Food and Hospitality Institute and promoting a special event that helps provide funds for kitchen facilities and services.

“Bits and Bites” of spirits, sweets and savory things are the highlight of the aptly titled annual event at El Centro College, which will be held on Sunday, March 10. Area chefs will lend their hands and their talents to raise funds for ECC’s culinary arts program. Those funds will help the college expand its kitchen facilities and services so that faculty members can inspire and train the next generation of talented food and hospitality experts in the Dallas/Fort Worth area.

The evening’s festivities will feature foods prepared by El Centro’s former students and friends of the college; a variety of spirits will be served as well. The cost is $45 in advance and $50 at the door; the event will be held from 4 to 7 p.m. in the Student Center on the downtown Dallas campus of El Centro College, located at 801 Main St.

More than 150 accomplished chefs in the Dallas area received their formal training at the Food and Hospitality Institute at El Centro College — including Shari Carlson, chef and co-owner of Dessert Dreams, and Dunia Borga, head pastry chef and co-owner of La Dunia restaurants. Both of these area food stars will be honored during “Bits and Bites” for their innovative creations and accomplishments in the culinary world.

“Every year, ‘Bits and Bites’ honors those individuals who have made significant contributions to the program at El Centro College and to the hospitality industry,” said Gus Katsigris, emeritus professor of ECC’s culinary arts program, who remains actively involved in the food industry. “Our alumni are legendary, and they work in every successful kitchen, banquet hall and dining room in north Texas.”

Tickets can be purchased in advance online at www.foundation.dcccd.edu/El-Centro-College-Bits-and-Bites-2013. Purchase tickets by mail with checks made payable to “DCCCD Foundation” and send them to: El Centro College, Cindy Bozzelli-Duke, Business and Public Services, 801 Main St., Dallas, TX 75202.

For information, contact Cindy Bozelli-Duke by phone at (214) 860-2213 or by email at bo-duke@dcccd.edu.

Editors’ note: See biographical sketches for honorees Dunia Borga and Shari Carlson.

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