FLORENCE — The annual UNAfied Dinner, a showcase of the creative culinary skills of
students in the University of North Alabama Jeff Eubanks Culinary Arts Management program, is set for April 27 at the Marriott Shoals Conference Center.
Co-hosted by the Jeff Eubanks Culinary Arts Management program and the Marriott Shoals
Hotel and Spa, the event is an opportunity for the community to enjoy the mastery of the
students in the program as they work with the chefs from UNA and the Marriott. It also
serves as a fundraiser for the Jeffrey Charles Eubanks Endowment Fund established in February 2020.
“While the UNAfied Dinner is a relatively new event, it has become an important annual
tradition for us at the Marriott Shoals Hotel and Spa and for me personally,” said Jason
Henderson, director of rooms at the Marriott. “Jeff was truly one of my closest friends, and I will never take that for granted.
“UNAfied is an opportunity for us to remember the life and contributions of our friend and colleague, Jeff Eubanks, as well as to showcase the culinary talents of today’s chefs and those who are training for the future.”
Eubanks, a 1996 graduate of UNA, was a chef in the Shoals for more than 20 years, including his years as the executive chef at the Marriott Shoals. Eubanks was also.
Students are responsible for preparing and creating the menu for the event. It is a culmination of students’ four years of work, training, and preparation under the program’s culinarians as well as through experience gained from working in local restaurants.
“This is a student-driven project where students apply the techniques and learning they have gained from your years of culinary arts management classes,” said Chef Einar Gudmundsson, an assistant professor in the Culinary Arts program. “This is a wonderful opportunity for the students to demonstrate their culinary prowess in a real-life scenario.
“I am grateful for the partnership with the Marriott Shoals and their understanding of how important our culinary and hospitality programs are and how they positively impact our community and overall culture of service here in Florence.”
The dinner starts with a cocktail hour and passed hors d’ouevres followed by a four-course dinner. Each course will feature the students’ talent, with the help of culinary mentors from UNA and the Marriott Shoals. During the meal, Grammy Award-winner Yates McKendree will perform.
Cocktail attire is recommended, and tickets can be purchased here.
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