Four Seasons Resort Vail chef to anchor seventh annual gala Feb. 27 at DU
For six years, the Fritz Knoebel School of Hospitality Management at the University of Denver has hosted the Public Good Gala. The gala, which is part of the school’s Cossack Family Foundation Guest Chef Series, is a culmination of the four-week training program Ready for American Hospitality (RAH), in which refugees and immigrants are trained in food safety and U.S. work culture. The evening raises money and awareness of RAH to continue the training program.
This year, the gala will expand its reach to raise funds to train people from Denver’s homeless population in food safety and hospitality. The Hospitality Opportunity Program (HOP) is a new training program delivered in collaboration with Denver Day Works (DDW), an arm of Denver Human Services. The program builds on RAH, Fritz Knoebel’s refugee/immigrant training program, which is now in its ninth year.
Four Seasons Vail Executive Chef Marco Fossati
Marco Fossati of the Four Seasons Resort Vail will be the guest chef for the seventh annual Public Good Gala Thursday, Feb. 27. Fossati has an impressive culinary career, which began over 30 years ago in his home country of Italy. After completing his culinary studies, he began working at various establishments including luxury hotels, Michelin-starred restaurants and private clubs. Fossati is known for his outgoing, guest-centered personality. His career has taken him to Tuscany, Milan, Sardinia, Paris, Hamburg and London.
The evening will include hors d’oeuvres followed by a four-course dinner with each course accompanied by a specially selected wine. The menu will be prepared and served by Fritz and RAH students under the guidance of Chef Fossati. Proceeds from ticket sales will support the HOP and RAH programs. Visit the Daniels website to register.
Date: Thursday, Feb. 27
Time: 5:45 – 9 p.m.
Price: $125/person or $950 for a table of eight
Tickets: Register
Location: Fritz Knoebel School of Hospitality Management
Joy Burns Center
2044 East Evans Avenue, Denver CO 80208
Offered since 2012, the RAH program helps refugees develop the skills and knowledge needed to obtain jobs in the food service industry. The gala is produced by the students enrolled in Fritz Knoebel’s Contemporary Cuisine course and Human Capital Management course, in collaboration with RAH.
Previous guest chefs in the series have included James Beard Award winners Charles Phan of The Slanted Door in San Francisco, Saipin Chutima with Lotus of Siam in Las Vegas, Craig Stoll with Delfina in San Francisco, Michael Schwartz of Michael’s Genuine Food & Drink in Miami, Chris Shepherd with Underbelly in Houston, and Denver’s Jen Jasinski of Crafted Concepts (Rioja, Stoic & Genuine and others) and Alex Seidel of Mercantile Dining & Provision and Fruition. Other local chefs who have participated include Frank Bonnano (Bonnano Concepts), Keegan Geerhard (D Bar), Daniel Asher (Ash’Kara, River & Woods), David Patterson (The Broadmoor), Simon Purvis (Four Seasons Denver) and Matt Zubrod (The Little Nell).