Annual Passions of the Palate Event Set for April 11 at Convention Center

Whitney Miller, 2010 Fox TV “MasterChef” winner and University of Southern Mississippi alum, will serve as a celebrity chef for the 12^th Annual Passions of the Palate event set for April 11 at the Lake Terrace Convention Center in Hattiesburg.

The Department of Economic Development, Tourism and Sport Management in the College of Business at Southern Miss is hosting the popular tasting dinner that also features celebrity chef Robert Stinson, a restaurant entrepreneur in Long Beach, Miss. The event gets underway at 5 with a reception and silent auction. The dinner begins at 7 p.m.

Proceeds from the fund-raiser directly benefit students and faculty in the Department of Economic Development, Tourism and Sport Management. Money collected will provide scholarships for students to continue their education outside the classroom. Approximately $40,000 was awarded to students in the 2013-2015 academic years from the “Passions” proceeds.

Event Director Dr. Wei Wang, assistant professor in the Department of Economic Development, Tourism and Sport Management, notes that the “Passions” fund-raiser helps promote the importance of collaboration between business and education.

“This event drives students to research and seek out ways to advance their careers while still in school,” said Wang. “Many times when students use these scholarships to travel to conventions they come back with not only contacts they have made but also more knowledge about the industry and where they may see themselves in the future.”

The silent auction will feature everything from local artwork to vacation packages. Chefs Miller and Stinson will present their respective cooking styles with modern twists on Southern classics. The program will also include wine pairings, courtesy of Fine Wine and Liquor Loft.

For more information about Passions of the Palate, visit: www.passionsofthepalate.com