NIAGARA UNIVERSITY, N.Y. (Sept. 21, 2005) – From October through December, Niagara University’s College of Hospitality and Tourism Management, in cooperation with the university’s Office of Continuing and Community Education, will host a series of ten fine dining events for the community. This is the fifth year of the college’s interactive “Spotlight on Chefs” dining series showcasing the culinary skills of guest chefs and student managers. The events will be held in the Statler Dining Room located on the fourth floor of St. Vincent’s Hall, the university’s main classroom building. “People are very interested in learning more about gourmet foods, fine wines, liquors and elaborate desserts,” said Scott Beahen, director of food service operations for the college. “Our popular ‘Spotlight on Chefs’ dining series offers people a chance to ask questions of our guest chefs and student chefs, and to relax in a beautiful setting while enjoying gracious service, fine foods and refreshments.”  Tickets for the student chef themed buffet dinners are $12.  Tickets for etiquette dinner are $35 per person, while tickets for the food and wine paring are $45 per person.  The etiquette and food and wine paring dinners are co-sponsored by Premier Wines.  Participants for those dinners must be of legal drinking age. Reservations for each of the upcoming events can be made through Niagara University’s Office of Continuing and Community Education at (716) 286-8181. Payment with credit card is required when reservations are made.

      Upcoming events include:

 Oct. 18, 20, 25, 27, and Nov. 8, 10, 15, 17, 2005 – Student chef themed buffet dinners

Niagara’s student chef dinners celebrate a variety of regional and international cuisines. Each of the festive theme dinners begins at 6:30 p.m. and includes soup, salad, appetizer, entrée, dessert and a beverage. The cost is $12 per person. For the last three years, these popular dinners have sold out immediately.

     Tuesday, Nov. 29, 2005─ Etiquette Dinner with etiquette expert John Bourdage.

This gourmet etiquette dinner begins at 6 p.m. and will feature an appetizer, soup, salad, sorbet, entrée, dessert, and wine. Guest speaker John Bourdage of Social Edge Seminars will offer fascinating information on entertaining, business and social etiquette and wine selection. A North Tonawanda native, Bourdage is a highly respected etiquette expert who graduated in 1985 from London’s Ivor Spencer School of British Butler Administration. The cost of the dinner is $35 per person.

      Thursday, Dec. 1, 2005 – Food and Wine Pairing Dinner with etiquette expert John Bourdage.

This elaborate eight-course food-and-wine pairing dinner features soup, appetizer, salad, sorbet, entrée, cheese and fruit, dessert and savory. Guest speaker John Bourdage of Social Edge Seminars will provide a wealth of information on everything from restaurant etiquette to wine selection and conversing at parties. The cost of the dinner is $45 per person. The dinner begins at 6 p.m.