A Night to Savor: CMC Culinary Dinner Delivers Big Flavor and Even Bigger Heart

On Friday, March 28, foodies, friends, and community supporters gathered at Keystone Ranch for an evening full of bold flavors, creative pairings, and a whole lot of heart. Hosted by the Colorado Mountain College Culinary Arts Program, the annual Culinary Dinner didn’t just impress—it wowed.

Appetizer stations kicked things off in style, serving up unforgettable cocktails that paired crave-worthy bites with local brews and expertly crafted cocktails. Liquid Chef Billie Keithley from Breckenridge Distillery brought the magic with custom whiskey and gin creations, while breweries like Angry James, Outer Range, and Broken Compass offered perfect pours to match.

The menu? Next level. Guests grazed on everything from Korean BBQ pork belly over cheddar grits to ahi tuna tartar, scallops with lemon jam, and even a savory macaron with hare rillette (yes, really—and yes, it was delicious). All the while live bluegrass from Marly Lovett and Kenn Lee added energy and warmth to the scene.

Pictured above: Student chefs Jasper Golden, Jordan Skeie, Braulio Yasir Contreras Sierra, Peter Knoblauch, Aidan Papi take a quick break in the kitchen as they plate the main course.

Guests enjoying the Ahi Tuna Tartar and Outer Range Brewing app pairing.

Bluegrass musicians Marly Lovett and Kenn Lee performed as guests enjoyed appetizer pairings.

Savory Macaroon with Hare Rillette.

Cocktail parings by Liquid Chef Billie Keithley.

Then came dinner, prepared by CMC’s student chefs under the direction of Culinary Director Kevin Clarke. The four-course experience featured dishes like ricotta tortellini, a bison and A5 Miyazaki wagyu beef duo, and a decadent trio of flourless chocolate cakes to close the night on a sweet note. Each course was paired with wine from J. Lohr, perfectly curated to enhance the evening’s flavors.

Student chef Jordan Skeie and recent chef graduate Sylvaking Addo pause for a photo in the kitchen.

Student chefs prepare to plate the first course.

Braised Bison Short Ribs with Seared Wagyu Beef.

But beyond the amazing food and drink, this dinner had a purpose. Every ticket, toast, and bite helped raise funds for CMC’s Culinary Arts Program—supporting hands-on education, student resources, and study abroad opportunities for aspiring chefs across Summit County.

This wasn’t just a dinner. It was a celebration of community, creativity, and the future of culinary arts in the mountains. And if you ask anyone who was there, they’ll tell you: it was one night they won’t forget.

Thank you to everyone who made the 2025 CMC Culinary Dinner such a smashing success!

The EpicPromise team, the main sponsor of the CMC Culinary Dinner, joins the chefs as they wrap up the evening.

All photos by: Joe Kusumoto Photography

The CMC Culinary Dinner benefitted the Culinary Arts Program's Study Abroad trip to Southeast Asia (Thailand, Cambodia & Vietnam).

CMC's Study Abroad program allows students to expand their horizons and apply their skills on a global stage. By contributing, you can help ensure that study abroad is accessible to all CMC students, from culinary arts to environmental science and beyond. Click the link below to support equitable and life-changing educational opportunities for every student.

Glenwood's Mini-College students put the final touches on the Giving Wall.

Irish Cheer for a Great Cause

Colorado Mountain College Glenwood’s Children’s Mini College hosted its second annual Gold & Green community event on Friday, March 14, from 5-7 p.m. at the CMC Glenwood Center. This free Irish-themed happy hour brought pre-St. Patrick’s Day cheer while raising essential funds for the nonprofit preschool program.

The event featured Irish music, donated beer and wine, and delicious Irish appetizers, some of which were baked by the Mini College’s young students. A highlight of the evening was the Wall of Giving, created by students’ families and decorated by the children. Attendees had the opportunity to bid on a variety of donated items, including local artwork, event tickets, ski passes, and weekend getaways, with all proceeds directly supporting Mini College programming.

Abby Hollenbaugh, director of the Children’s Mini College, emphasized the importance of the fundraiser in sustaining the program, which operates independently as an auxiliary of CMC. Since its founding in 1978, the Mini College has provided early childhood education for children aged 3 to 5, serving both CMC faculty and students as well as the broader Glenwood Springs community.

Looking ahead, the Mini College plans to expand its offerings later this fall, adding a second classroom and new year-round, full-time options for parents. The expansion will accommodate potty-trained 2-and-a-half-year-olds and younger 3-year-olds, increasing capacity from 18 to 28 children per day. The program continues to focus on art, music, cooking, science, and imaginative play, fostering a love of learning in a nurturing environment.

DID YOU KNOW?

You can SAVE BIG ON TAXES supporting early childhood education programs like CMC's Mini-College.

After tax cost of a $1,000 qualified gift*

is only $327 with the Colorado Child Care Contribution Credit.

*For illustrative purposes only. Please consult your tax advisor for information about your specific situation.

Photo: Vail Valley Enterprise

SCHOLARSHIP SHOWCASE

Friends of Mylissa Scholarship

A Legacy of Courage and Community

The Friends of Mylissa Scholarship honors the extraordinary life and impact of Mylissa Burnett Eckdahl, a beloved Colorado Mountain College faculty member at the Vail campus. Mylissa dedicated her career to teaching developmental writing and fostering lifelong learning. Even after an automobile accident in 2001 left her quadriplegic, she continued to inspire her community through her resilience and commitment to education.

This needs-based scholarship supports students at the Vail Valley at Edwards campus, ensuring that Mylissa's vision of empowering others through learning lives on. Her dedication to the community extended beyond the classroom—Mylissa’s selflessness as an organ donor gave others a second chance at life, even under challenging circumstances. Her donated kidney allowed Gloria Kugler, a fellow Coloradan and mother of two, to regain her health and vitality, demonstrating Mylissa’s lasting impact on both education and humanity.

Mylissa's courage and generosity remain a powerful reminder of the importance of giving back. Her legacy continues to inspire through this scholarship, nurturing future generations while celebrating her unwavering belief in the value of community and compassion.

UPCOMING EVENTS

Ecosystem Science & Stewardship Capstone Symposium

April 18, 2025 at 3:00 pm - 5:00 pm

CMC Leadville

We are thrilled to invite community members to celebrate the incredible work of our bachelor's degree candidates as they unveil their research projects through dynamic poster presentations. This casual and engaging event welcomes you to observe, interact, and engage in stimulating conversations about cutting-edge research and environmental stewardship with the students and faculty. Join us for an afternoon of learning and connection! There will be refreshments and light hors d'oeuvres. Free parking is available right outside the Pinnacle Building.

RSVP here

Better Together Film Festival

April 23, 2025 at 5:30 pm - 7:30 pm

CMC Steamboat Springs Library

A national initiative bringing together diverse groups of people in local spaces to build community and bridge divides through the power of film. The Better Together Film Festival is part of the National Week of Conversation. Learn more at National Week of Conversation. A Road Trip Across a Divided America will be shown in the CMC Steamboat Springs Campus Library.

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Ute children stand outside one of the assimilation schools in Colorado.

Our Shared History Lecture Series: We Have Always Been in the Mountains - Western Expansion and Utes

May 7, 2025 at 6:00 pm - 7:30 pm

CMC Vail Valley at Edwards

Our Shared History Lecture Series We Have Always Been in the Mountains - Western Expansion and Utes Ute children stand outside one of the assimilation schools in Colorado. In the final installment of our spring lecture series, historian and adjunct faculty Kelle Roberts invites you to join a discussion where we will honor the Utes who lived for generations on the ancestral lands where we currently live and work.

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