FIU students from the Chaplin School of Hospitality & Tourism Management showcased their skills and gained valuable experience at the South Beach Wine & Food Festival, while also earning scholarships. The festival serves as a platform for students to make connections and contribute to one of the world's largest wine and food events.
FIU Students Shine at South Beach Wine & Food Festival
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The South Beach Wine & Food Festival® (SOBEWFF®) held its 23rd annual event, attracting over 65,000 guests from around the world. Among the bustling crowd were more than 1,500 student volunteers from the Chaplin School of Hospitality & Tourism Management at Florida International University (FIU), who gained invaluable hands-on learning experience while earning scholarships.
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One student, Vanessa Cheng, a senior at the Chaplin School, couldn't hold back her tears of joy as she praised the group of smiling students surrounding her on the sandy beach. Cheng supervised dozens of other students and expressed her gratitude for the opportunity to lead such a dedicated and positive team. The experience was truly a dream come true for her.
The Festival provides a unique platform for students to showcase their skills and make lasting connections. Many of them held important roles, leading events and logistics teams, ensuring volunteers were in place to assist guests, working behind-the-scenes in inventory control, preparing thousands of servings of food, and even working alongside Food Network personalities.
Partnership with FIU's Chaplin School
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Moreover, the Festival's partnership with FIU's Chaplin School has been instrumental in raising over $37 million to date. These funds go towards student scholarships, facility improvements, and educational initiatives. As part of this collaboration, FIU Chaplin School brought the vineyard experience to the sand, featuring the new Vidal-Duart Wine Studies Program. Guests had the opportunity to walk through a vineyard come to life and enter a large walk-in wine barrel at the FIU Chaplin School tent.
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Another exhibit showcased the Festival's history, which began in 1997 at FIU's Biscayne Bay Campus as a one-day wine and food pairing event created by Professor Chip Cassidy and his students. In 2002, Festival Founder & Director Lee Brian Schrager moved the event to South Beach. Festival-goers had the chance to experience this origin story through a visual timeline. Additionally, students from the FIU Bacardi Center of Excellence, a partnership between FIU Chaplin School and Bacardi, served a menu called "Sipping through the Decades" to tell the Festival's story in a unique culinary way.
Alumni Support and Sustainability Efforts
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FIU alumni also showed their support for their alma mater throughout the Festival. From ribbon-cutting ceremonies to alumni-hosted events, they demonstrated their pride in their university. Alumni-owned businesses, such as Temple Street Eatery in Fort Lauderdale and Tam Tam in downtown Miami, showcased their delicious fare at various Festival events, giving guests a taste of their menus.
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The Festival also prioritizes sustainability efforts, with FIU's Green Team leading the way. This year, the Green Team completed over 600 shifts, diverting waste from landfills and rescuing food at various venues. Thanks to their efforts, the Festival was able to divert nearly 50% more waste from landfills compared to the previous year. Professor John Buschman, co-director of the Chaplin School's Global Sustainable Tourism degree, and partners like Clean Vibes played a crucial role in this sustainability initiative.
Vanessa Cheng's Last Festival and Future Opportunities
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For Vanessa Cheng, this year's Festival holds a special place in her heart as it marks her last one before graduating in April. As she expressed her gratitude to everyone who contributed to the event's success, her team applauded her for handpicking the best team. The Festival has not only provided her with valuable experience but also lifelong friendships and potential future opportunities in event planning and execution.
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Conclusion
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The South Beach Wine & Food Festival® continues to be a remarkable platform for FIU students to shine, showcasing their skills, making connections, and contributing to the success of one of the world's largest wine and food festivals. It is a testament to the quality of education and the dedication of the students and faculty at FIU's Chaplin School.
( Credit to: News )