Gourmet Dinner Themes

Spring 2025 Gourmet Dinner Themes and Dates

DMACC culinary students preparing a meal at the Iowa Culinary Institute

Schedule

40th Anniversary French Chefs’ Dinners:
Thursday, Jan 30 only: Special Invitation to members of the Chaîne Des Rôtisseurs
Friday, Jan 31 & Saturday, Feb 1

Join us for our 40th Anniversary of the ICI French Chef Exchange! These special dinners will be presented by guest chefs from L’ Association des Cuisiniers de la Loire, from the region of Des Moines’ Sister City, St-Etienne, France. This year, we will host nine guests from France, including six chefs and three spouses. The French Chefs’ Dinners are priced at $200 per person, and $100 of each ticket is a tax-deductible gift to the DMACC Foundation in support of our annual French Chef Exchange Program. Come celebrate this 40th anniversary with our French guest chefs as they prepare a special menu, along with the ICI culinary team of students and chefs.

Trinidadian and Tobagonian: Thursdays, Feb 13, 20, & 27

Discover the cuisine of this dual-island Caribbean nation, known for its diverse population. Their dishes are influenced by many cultures including African, Indian, Creole, Amerindian, European, Chinese and Lebanese.

Greek: Thursdays, Mar 6, 13, & 27

Explore a cuisine that reflects both the mountains of the mainland and the surrounding seas. Greek food is known for its use of fresh herbs and spices, as well as the local olive oil that comes from the many olive groves that dot the landscape.

Special Event: Fleur de Lys Gala - Saturday, Apr 5

Join us on the “Streets of Paris” as we celebrate the arrival of spring and our 40th Anniversary of the French Chef Exchange. The proceeds of this French gourmet buffet dinner (with paired wines) and auction go to support our exchange, which provides scholarships for our top eight graduates to travel to France every May and do culinary internships with our French Chefs in the St-Etienne region. This dinner is priced at $200 per person, and $150 of each ticket is a tax-deductible gift to the DMACC Foundation in support of our annual French Chef Exchange Program. *We will be unable to honor dietary restrictions at the Gala since it is a buffet rather than a plated dinner.

Moroccan: Thursdays, Apr 10, 17, & 24

Join us as we celebrate Morocco, DMACC’s International Year focus country for 2025! Enjoy Moroccan cuisine, inspired by Arab, Berber, Andalusian and Mediterranean influences.

Unless otherwise noted, the cost for each dinner is $140 per person ($50 per person is tax-deductible and will be credited towards membership in the ICI Chef’s Toque Society).

All dinners will be in the Lakeview Dining Room of the ICI, located in Building 7 on the DMACC Ankeny campus. Champagne or sparkling wine reception will begin in the ICI Atrium at 6:00 PM, and dinner will be served at 6:30 PM. Please do not arrive earlier than 5:45, as students need time for set up.

We are only able to accommodate dietary requests based on medical allergies or religious restrictions. Please alert us to medical or religious dietary requests upon making your reservation.