Food for Thought, a food and beverage tasting event featuring local vendors, is returning with a live event after a Covid-19 hiatus.

Hosted by the Fond du Lac Tribal and Community College Foundation, the 10th annual Food for Thought returns 4:30-7 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 19 in the commons area of the college.

The fundraising evening features beverage and food tasting benefiting student scholarships, a news release said. Area businesses offer food specialties for guests to sample. Approximately 15 local vendors have volunteered to provide samples of their signature food and beverage specialties, including Baby Cakes Wild Rice Bakery, Bearaboo Coffee Escape, Carmen’s Bar & Restaurant, Chef’s Marketplace Catering, Cold One Liquor, Common Ground Coffee Bar & Deli, Holy Smokes Catering, Mama’s Best Baklava, Northern Waters Smokehaus, Papa Murphy’s, Room at the Table Catering & Bakery, Route 61 Lounge and Bowling, Streetcar Kitchen & Pub, Trapper Pete’s Steakhouse & Saloon, and Gordy’s Warming House.

“Food for Thought is such a fun event,” said foundation chair Kate Mason. “It started 10 years ago and has grown into a community favorite. We’re so excited to bring it back in person this year.”

The best part is seeing how it benefits students through the foundation’s scholarships, Mason added.

“These scholarships make a difference in students’ lives, in turn making a difference in our community,” she said.

Everyone attending the Food for Thought event can vote for their favorite food and dessert presented during the evening. The Golden Spoon Award and Silver Spoon Dessert Award are based on the popular vote held during the event and the coveted awards are presented to the vendors at the end of the evening.

A highlight of the Food for Thought event is the wall of wine featuring beverages donated by Cold One Liquor. This year’s event will also feature beer selections. For a donation of $20, guests select a bottle of wine or pack of beer accompanied by an envelope containing a gift card, ranging in value from $10 to $50, donated by an area business. In past years, the 100-bottle Wall of Wine proved popular, selling out.

Other fundraising activities during the event include a silent auction and raffle for donated high-value prizes. Local radio host Kerry Rodd will serve as master of ceremonies.

Tickets for the 2023 Food for Thought can be purchased at the college business office. Tickets cost $25 per person in advance, and $30 per person at the door.

The foundation encourages purchasing tickets in advance before they sell out. For more information, contact FDLTCC Foundation chair, Kate Mason, at [email protected] or visit https://fdltcc.edu/event/food-for-thought.

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IF YOU GO

Food for Thought, a Tasting Event

Date: Thursday, Jan. 19

Time: 4:30 p.m. – 7 p.m.

Description: Join the FDLTCC Foundation for an evening of food and beverage tastings benefiting student scholarships. Tickets can be purchased in advance for $25 at the FDLTCC business office or for $30 at the door on Jan. 19.