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People line up outside the Jacobetti Complex on Saturday, April 16, 2022. At least 10 couples dressed in space-themed outfits were waiting to enter. As they walked through the curtained entrance, they saw people dressed in alien and other otherworldly costumes, shuffling toward the many walking appetizer trays, toward the endless cocktail bar, toward their planet-themed tables or Games arranged for this event.
As the music died down, guests took their seats and began to enjoy their dishes and accompanying drinks. A plate of crisp, fresh vegetables paired with crunchy bell peppers, delicious balsamic, and spring-sweet strawberries. The scallops sizzle in rich oriental flavours, brightened by the sweet Riesling. Unique, refreshing blueberry sorbet with a hint of spicy dill. All this and more adds color to those who attend the event. Little did the participants know, however, that the Gala Galaxy Gala would be the last major event of NMSU’s hospitality program.
“Instead of having a traditional major event, we are hosting a series of smaller events,” said Loganne Glendening, associate professor of technical and occupational science and assistant department chair.
Instead of a grand reception at the end of the year, there will now be three events held throughout the winter term. This will give more people the opportunity to enjoy what the hotel program has to offer.
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The first of three events will be held on Saturday, February 24th. This event is only available to NMU Theater and Dance season ticket holders, with whom the hospitality program will work.
“It’s a three-course meal with a ‘puff’ theme,” Glendening said.
Glendening said Puffs is a play on Harry Potter and the food on offer will reflect the theme, including chocolate-covered golden truffle snitches, gourmet butterbeer and more. She also explained how students from the hospitality management and landscape architecture courses came together to build the set for the meal.
The hospitality program’s second event will be held on Sunday, March 31st.
“This is the ‘Longer Days Luncheon,’ a culinary community festival that will be held in North Center’s Grand Ballroom focusing on culinary arts students,” Glendening said.
She explained that everything is tentative because it’s all up to the students to put it all together.
“Think of all the things you can do during Chinese New Year: you can do crafts, listen to music, drink wine, and eat and drink to your heart’s content,” Glendening said.
Tickets for the event range from $100 to $125 and are open to all students and anyone in the community.
The final event of the three events, called the Heritage Dinner, will be held on Friday, April 19th.
“This is our end-of-year showcase, and the theme will be our students,” Glendening said.
Ticket prices will be the same as those for the long-day luncheon, and the event will mark the beginning of a unique tradition between NMU’s two programs.
“I worked with the ceramics department, who provided and designed the tableware for the traditional dinner,” Glendening said. “I think this is an opportunity for students to showcase themselves.”
This is only the second year for the hospitality program at the North Centre, as they were previously located at the Jacobite Complex.
“We’re now at the end of year two and we really feel like we’re pretty settled,” Glendening said.
So much so that the program eventually settled on a name for their kitchen: North Fork, NMU’s teaching kitchen. The name was chosen with assistance from NMU’s marketing department.
The hotel project kicks off its growth plans with the start of a mini event series.
“In 2025, we will open our restaurants to the public, and in 2026, we will have both restaurants and events,” Glendening said.
Organizers say this series of events provides guests with a similar experience while providing the same special charm that the community and university are accustomed to. One of the special things about hotel project activities is that they work with many projects and departments that are often in the spotlight. For example, at the Gala of the Galaxies event, they partnered with the NMU Dance Team, Beauty Project, Northern Michigan Builders Club and Marquette’s Double Trouble Entertainment.
The three events on offer this year will also see the hospitality project integrated and collaborated with other NMU groups. Organizers say event attendees can expect the same excitement from the Class of 2022, as some of those students are now leading the programs. Senior Orion Ingmire serves as sous chef, senior Trixie Maguran Jacobson serves as executive chef and senior Jared Charles serves as events director.
The Glendale Hotels program and its activities are nothing to worry about because although circumstances within the program are constantly evolving and changing, it still serves as the hearth of NMU by bringing people and programs together.
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