 TASTE TALKERS: Miriam Bowers Abbott, The OTHER Paper reviewer, left, Carter Foy, TALK Show producer, www.foodmessalert.com, on the Columbus State campus. |
For 20 Years "Taste" Has Ranked As Top Food Gala for Restaurants Columbus is noted for excellent variety when it comes to restaurants. What is not generally known is the background reason for much of the quality in the commercial kitchens. Credit the culinary apprentice program at Columbus State Community College. It works this way: Culinary students sign up for a three-year program...a unique program of classroom theory hours, hands-on training in demo kitchens under the guidance of trained chefs and administrators, and lastly, employment as apprentices in the city's fine dining restaurants working with professional chefs in their kitchens. Taste the Future is the result, a showcase of their talents as honed by their on-the-job work assignments. This year, 50-plus Columbus restaurants and associated food venues will be serving. For the colorful view of the gala in past years: www.tastethefuture.com Date and time: Tuesday, Sept. 16; 5:30 to 9 p.m. This is the 20th year. Tickets via the website, $100. A limit of 1,000 will be sold. Proceeds go to the CSCC development fund with a portion assigned to the culinary program. This website, www.columbuschefs.com , will post a review after the gala with opinions of Miriam Bowers Abbott, reviewer for this website and The OTHER Paper; and Carter Foy, a TALK radio host specializing in food issues. |
 TASTE HOSTS: Lewis and Genevieve Smoot are the honorary hosts this year for their supportive contributions to Columbus State. |
Smoot Family to be Honored for Their Years of Dedication to CSCC In 1956 Sherman Smoot moved his family and business to Columbus. He created the Sherman R. Smoot Co., his intent being to build a better quality of life for the residents of his city. Along the way he must have instilled the belief of community service in his son, Lewis Smoot. He is president and CEO of the Smoot Corp. and its subsidiaries. Over the years the Smoot name has been prominent in the affairs of Columbus State. As a result the Smoot family, not just Lewis and his wife Genevieve, are to be honored for their philanthropic endeavors. Their sons, Lewis Jr., and Richard, are to be honorary hosts of the 20th annual Taste the Future gala. And for good reason: both Lewis Jr. and Richard are alumnus. Lewis Jr. is on the board of the CSCC Development Foundation and heads the Foundation's "Support What Works" campaign. The entire family is committed to helping provide access to higher education for all. The Smoots live by their belief...in giving back. All give of their time to strengthening educational institutions, arts, cultural and community organizations and hospitals. Smoot Construction plays a major role in the overall economic development of Columbus. Thus, this is a total family to be honored. + + + + + A historical note: Taste the Future had a beginning 20 years ago when one of the most prominent restaurant operators in Columbus casually suggested the then small culinary program should be promoted...marketed, he said. Todd Barnum, one of the two founders of Max & Erma's, made the suggestion. Look for some future year when Barnum is honored. Say you read it here first. - DPC.
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