Culinary Benefit Dinner to Support Great Lakes Culinary Institute scholarships at Traverse City Horse Shows

Final Saturday of Show Jumping Season to Celebrate Food, Education, and Community

Traverse City, MI (August 21, 2024) — During its final weekend of the 2025 season, Traverse City Horse Shows (TCHS) will close its season with a special culinary event on Saturday, September 20: a benefit dinner supporting the Great Lakes Culinary Institute (GLCI) Scholarship Fund. Held at Flintfields Horse Park, the evening features a long-table dinner with passed hors d’oeuvres, a curated wine tasting, and a three-course meal prepared in collaboration with guest chefs and GLCI students.

Scholarships That Go Beyond the Plate

All proceeds from ticket sales will go directly to the GLCI Scholarship Fund, which helps expand access to culinary education and professional development opportunities for students across Northern Michigan.

“This kind of support goes far beyond the dinner table,” said Chef Les Eckert, Director of the Great Lakes Culinary Institute. “Scholarship funds help remove barriers for our students, many of whom are working full-time while pursuing their education. Every ticket sold helps ensure the next generation of culinary professionals has the resources they need to succeed.”

A Teaching Kitchen Shaping the Future

The Great Lakes Culinary Institute at Northwestern Michigan College is an American Culinary Federation-accredited launching pad for the next generation of chefs, entrepreneurs, and changemakers in the food industry. With programs such as a first-of-its-kind culinary-maritime certificate, a new sports nutrition track, and hydroponic tower gardens that supply fresh herbs and greens directly to the classroom, GLCI is helping to shape a more sustainable and future-ready culinary landscape.

Supporting Talent and Regional Hospitality

Beyond scholarships, the event also offers invaluable hands-on experience for GLCI students, who will work alongside some of the region’s top chefs—including GLCI alumni—throughout both back-of-house and front-of-house service.

“We’re proud to support workforce development in our region,” said Mindy Lopus, Food & Beverage Director at Traverse City Horse Shows. “The culinary arts are an essential part of our hospitality vision. This dinner goes beyond financial support by offering students the chance to work with accomplished professionals, gain mentorship, and take part in an event experience that bridges education and industry in a meaningful way.”

What to Expect: Regional Flavors Take Center Stage

Confirmed chefs for the evening include James Beard Award-winner Jimmy Schmidt; Brian Fleuter of Nobo Riverside; Tony Vu of The Good Bowl and MaMang; Michelle Rodriguez of Amor Comida; Stephanie Wiitala of Sugar 2 Salt; and GLCI alumni contributing both in the kitchen and in service. Additional chef partners will be announced as the event approaches.

The evening begins with a walk-around wine tasting and passed hors d’oeuvres, with the opportunity to purchase bottles selected to pair with the meal—all wine sales will support the scholarship fund.

This benefit marks the final Saturday of the 2025 Traverse City Horse Shows season and is part of the Farm to Stable Dinner Series at Flintfields Horse Park. Tickets are $150 and include hors d’oeuvres, a wine tasting, and a three-course dinner. Additional wines and beverages will be available for purchase.

For more information and reservations, visit: https://app.gopassage.com/events/farm-to-stable-GLCI

About Farm to Stable Dinner Series

Farm to Stable invites guests to experience Northern Michigan through the chefs, farmers, winemakers, and community voices who shape its flavor. Set in the idyllic landscape of Flintfields Horse Park, each dinner offers a slower pace, a deeper connection, and a distinctly local take on culinary creativity. Whether you arrive early to enjoy the sport or just for the food, these evenings are for those who savor the season and appreciate the story behind every plate—each menu thoughtfully crafted with ingredients sourced from Northern Michigan farms.