Marriott Hospitality Center

The Marriott Hospitality Center is a grant-funded program on Montgomery College's Rockville Campus. Thanks to a generous donation from the Marriott Foundation, we offer student financial aid scholarships and educational opportunities within the field of Hospitality Management. Grant monies are also being used for facilities upgrades to the Marriott Hospitality Center Kitchen and the patio area adjacent to the kitchen.

We may be best known for our community outreach events. Each semester we produce a series of cooking classes, lectures and book signings, culinary demonstrations and field trips to increase student and community awareness of opportunities available within the hospitality industry.

Highlights of our Fall '02 events include:

• A slideshow and lecture by Chris Caldicott about his travels, "Following the Spice Route"
• A "Tailgate Party" cooking class by chefs Carla Hall and Janis McLean
• A book signing and lecture on the foods of the Old World and the New World titled, "1492: The Most Important Year in Culinary History" by author Elisabeth Rozin
• A lecture, book signing, and a catered reception on "Planet Taco: The Globalization of Mexican Cuisine" by Professor Jeffrey Pilcher
• A networking dinner and overview of Chinese cuisine at Seven Seas Seafood Restaurant
• A Thai dinner, cooking demonstration, and screening of the Thai movie, "Tears of the Black Tiger"
• A culinary demonstration and tasting by Master Chef Roberto Donna of Galileo Restaurant
• An evening of South Indian Cuisine, including a component tasting and dinner, from Bombay Bistro

Our Spring '03 events have featured:

• A guided tasting of chocolate with chef and chocolatier Janet Terry
• A lecture on "Restaurant Design Tools and Trends" by Matthew Von Ertfelda, Director of Concept Design for Marriott International
• A celebration of Italian cuisine featuring dinner from Galileo Restaurant and a screening of the move "Big Night"
• A student-prepared dinner for the Alumni Board of Governors, featuring a "Summer in Maryland" theme
• A hospitality career fair in Glen Burnie
• A kitchen-based teambuilding event for the President's Council
• Hospitality Day at UMES Shady Grove, focusing on "New Challenges in the Hospitality Industry"
• A social dinner at Yanyu restaurant
• "Diabetes University," a day of educational lectures and demonstrations
• "Better Communication Through Cooking," a teambuilding event for the Board of Trustees
• A vegetarian cooking class taught by Chef Aaron Forster and Sarabess Forster

For 2003-2004 academic year, we're currently planning the following special events:

• The dedication of the Marriott Hospitality Center
• A cooking class
• A social supper at a local restaurant
• TheatreCafe, a themed evening with a meal and a movie screening from the same culture
• A screening of the documentary film "Deconstructing Supper" and a discussion of the issues surrounding global food production

For information on upcoming special events including cooking classes, social dinners and educational presentations, or to be added to our mailing list, please contact Julie Zagars, Coordinator, via email: jzagars@mc.cc.md.us or phone: 240-567-7914 or at the Marriott Hospitality Center, Technical Center Room 213, Montgomery College, 51 Mannakee Street, Rockville, MD 20850.

Thank you for your interest in the Marriott Hospitality Center.