Cabaret and Cabernet raises a glass at Rosen

More than 200 guests enjoyed some fine wine, fancy cuisine and a night out at the Rosen College of Hospitality Management on Saturday at the second annual Cabaret & Cabernet at Rosen campus.

The student-run event is an opportunity for hands-on experience and a chance to earn money for scholarships within the Rosen College.

Professor Suzan Bunn's Event Management class has been organizing and planning the event since January. The students were grouped into six teams with different job descriptions to organize the event.  

"I got to do something practical and plan a fun event," said senior Corrie Shaw. "We came up with new ideas to make this year's event flow better than last year's."

With the use of social networking, the teams were able to get the word out and build excitement.

"This year we used Facebook, Twitter and a blog about the event to give the community a behind-the-scenes tour. We made use of people's desire to know about the event to spread the word and build anticipation," said Amanda Katsch, the social connection for the class.

Amanda Jade Gonzalez, another student from the Event Management class, partnered with students from the Foodservice and Lodging Management Department to create a three-course menu for the event.

Led by Chef Jay Judy and Chef Cesar Rivera Cruzado, the culinary students cooked exquisite dishes, including thai style vegetable summer rolls with chili-lime dipping sauce, chevre and fresh herb stuffed mushrooms, braised spring lamb sliders, grilled shrimp with avocado-orange salad and grilled Argentinian style flank steak with chimichurri sauce.

To make Cabaret & Cabernet an extraordinary event, students created a fun and detail-oriented atmosphere.

When the guests checked in, they were welcomed with a program and a wine glass holder adorned with Mickey Mouse ears on the neck strap.

"One of my favorite parts of the evening was getting the wine necklace", said Debbie Jones, a return patron from last year's event. She said that this year's event was just as entertaining as last year's.

The event kicked off in the  Rosen auditorium with an introduction and can-can performance by the Columbus Center Dance Academy.

Jumping off the stage, the can-can dancers invited the crowd to follow them to the courtyard where patrons would experience their first course of food and wine. Five food items were paired with a large selection of wine types including cabernet sauvignon and merlot from  South Africa, Greece and Italy.

After thirty minutes of first-rate food and wine, patrons could choose between three acts to enjoy.

The Three Pillars Café, the students' cafeteria, was transformed into an intimate speakeasy where Dave Worker and Kristina Simmons sang tunes penned by Ol' Blue Eyes himself: Frank Sinatra. The Disney Dining Room featured dueling pianists from Baby Grand's Dueling Piano Bar in Downtown Orlando. The third act, located in the Anheuser- Busch Beer and Wine Lab, showcased Legacy, a four-piece band of experienced Disney performers including hospitality professor Ron Logan.

"We believe in doing positive things and having fun at the same time," Logan said.  "A large part of life is about what you can do for other people."

Legacy, Logan's band, donated their time, energy and talent.

The band had never played together for an event and began rehearsal at noon the day of the event. Their on-stage chemistry entranced the crowd.

"One of my favorite acts of the evening was the band in the wine lab," said Jeanne Blair, another return patrons from last year.

After entertainment, the courtyard was open with a new round of food and wine for everyone to enjoy. Guests could decide what order and which performances they wanted to see them in.

Seasons 52 donated a dessert presentation in the courtyard. Guests enjoyed a dark chocolate raspberry truffle tart with hazelnut chocolate crust was paired with champagne and coffee.

The final act was cabaret on the balcony by Simmons. Guests went home with a Cabaret & Cabernet souvenir wine stopper.

"I thought this year there was a better selection of wine; however I wish there were more food stations or more time allowed for the food portion of the evening," said attendee Dennis Dulniak.

The only criticism Dulniak and his wife had was that they wish the programs had the entertainment in each room listed, but both said overall they had a great time.

Deborah Breiter, chair of the Tourism, Events and Attractions department, said she hopes the annual event will continue to give Rosen credibility.

"These are the kinds of things the Rosen College should be known for," Breiter said.