A Taste of Success

Join us Friday, April 25, 2025 for a fabulous, in-person strolling tasting event featuring international cuisine along with local wines and beverages. At this unique event on NMC's Great Lakes Campus, all of the food is prepared and served by Great Lakes Culinary Institute students.

Purchase Your Tickets Today!

Be a part of making culinary education possible for students — all proceeds from the event benefit students through scholarships and program support. Thanks to the support of people like you, the 2024 event raised more than $157,000 for student scholarships and the greatest needs of the program.

Sponsorship Opportunities

When you support A Taste of Success, you are providing much-needed funds that help deserving students attend the Great Lakes Culinary Institute — the gift of education lasts a lifetime. Learn more about opportunities to sponsor A Taste of Success and have your business featured alongside industry leaders while making a difference for our students.

Thank you to our 2025 sponsors!

Tastemaker SponsorS

Richard & Diana Milock

Scholarship Sponsors

Don & Marylou Coe
Michael & Rhonda Estes

Lobdell's Sponsors

Mike & Susan Maasberg

Dessert Sponsors

Andrew J. Griffin Foundation
Jeanne Ascione
Golden-Fowler Home Furnishings
Gordon Food Service
Pat & Ken Warner

Tasting Station Sponsors

Terry Lynn Carrithers – In Loving Memory of Grant Carrithers
Green Brick Foundation
Kegley Family Foundation
Restaurant Partners Management

Plate Sponsors

Debbie Edson
Jimmy John's of Traverse City
Oryana Community Co-op
Traverse City Tourism

Appetizer Sponsors

Brian & Marcia Gibson
Grand Traverse Distillery
Al & Terry Hershey
R. Hirt Jr., Co.
Honor Bank – Cory & Anne VanBrocklin
Honor Bank – Al & Mary Zelinski
Iron Fish Distillery
Magnum Hospitality
Jayne Mohr & Cal Karr
Marty Oleson
Reynolds Jonkhoff Funeral Home & Cremation Services
Sugar 2 Salt
West Shore Bank

Wine & Beverage Sponsors

2 Lads Winery
Bel Lago Vineyards & Winery
Black Star Farms
Blustone Vineyards
Bowers Harbor Vineyards & Winery
Brys Estate Vineyard & Winery
Chateau Chantal Winery & Inn
Dune Bird Winery
Farm Club
French Vally Vineyards
Gilchrist Farm
Hawthorne Vineyards
Left Foot Charley
MAWBY Vineyards & Winery
Rove Winery
Shady Lane Cellars

Founding Sponsor

Tasters Guild

In-Kind Sponsors

Custom Stems
Fustini's Oils and Vinegars
Leelanau Cheese