October 21 , 2005

The A-B Tech Foundation raised over $8,300 through a sold-out benefit featuring the culinary talents of Chef Mark Rosenstein, owner of The Market Place. Patrons were treated to a five-course dinner featuring locally grown and seasonal foods prepared by Rosenstein and his staff.

“We are grateful for Chef Mark Rosenstein’s friendship and professional attention to A-B Tech’s Hospitality Education programs. Our guests attending the Market Place Event for the Foundation enjoyed a delicious meal with unexpected surprises including a chocolate dessert – a fitting finale to a magical evening,” said Anita Metcalf, A-B Tech Foundation executive director.

“Since the early days of The Market Place, we have always tried to be involved with the community, to give something back for all the support we receive as a business,” said Rosenstein. “More importantly, I have been involved with the A-B Tech Culinary program since before moving to Asheville. I think the first student intern I had might have been 1973. Since that time, I have had interns almost every summer. They have always been an integral part of our operation.”

Rosenstein has also served as an instructor at A-B Tech, having taught dining room service, baking and other classes. “A-B Tech has always provided a sound foundation for future chefs. The combination of theory and practical experience is essential,” he said.

“Over the past few years, as my own career reaches into 30-plus years, my focus on civic duties comes back to my own foundation – cuisine. It was a natural thing for The Market Place to support the culinary program through this benefit dinner,” he said.

The funds will be used for Hospitality Education programs to provide student scholarships and to enable the department to purchase equipment for A-B Tech’s new Magnolia Building, which will be the home of the Hospitality Education Center and will feature four state-of-the-art kitchens.

“The evening was a tremendous success at every level,” said Sheila Tillman, Hospitality Education chair. “The event was well-attended and orchestrated. It was an honor to be in attendance.”

The mission of the A-B Tech Foundation is to support the college in all of its programs and activities to ensure that quality educational opportunities are available to its students, faculty and staff through scholarships, professional development, technology and renovation and expansion of the facilities.