A sold-out crowd of 225 guests raised more than $90,000 at Finger Lakes Community College’s 10th Annual Vintners & Valentines dinner, marking a decade of community support for student education in wine and culinary arts.
Held April 4 at the FLCC main campus, the event featured fine wine, gourmet cuisine, and testimonials from students whose lives have been shaped by the programs it funds. LeChase Construction Services led the roster of sponsors, joined by Farm Credit East and 17 other businesses.
“This event is about more than just great food and wine. It’s about investing in students who will shape the future of our local food and beverage industries,” said FLCC President Robert Nye. “Your generosity is transforming lives.”
Proceeds will support scholarships for international study in European wine regions, as well as high-end equipment and supplies for the culinary arts and viticulture programs. Among the scholarship recipients was Sam Rocha of Naples, who traveled to France and Italy through the Institute for American Universities. “I’ve learned that winemaking is more than science. It’s a global conversation,” he said.
Guests enjoyed a five-course dinner prepared and served by students under the guidance of Chefs Jamie Rotter and Patrick Rae. Each course was paired with a wine introduced by one of 24 wineries, including 11 led by FLCC alumni.
Patty Rockwell, a professor of environmental conservation and student in the culinary program, spoke about the event’s impact. “Your gifts make learning essential skills possible,” she said. “This program gave me the gift of getting outside of my comfort zone, and that has been life changing.”
Next year’s event is already in the planning stages, with a date to be announced.
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