The Special Cuisines class at Ivy Tech Community College–Northeast combines students’ skills and experience to plan, create and execute menus from regions all over the world in the Special Cuisine Dinner Series. The class is comprised of culinary students who are rotated through various positions in the kitchen and dining room throughout the semester in order to solidify their knowledge of the food service industry prior to graduation. Dinners are scheduled on Thursday evenings through the spring semester.

The opening night of February 7 is a buffet featuring tastes from Italy. Community members will get the opportunity to sample traditional Italian fare while supporting students, as they showcase their culinary talents. Guests will be able to sample from the following items: 

Italian Buffet Menu

Appetizers
White Bean Dip & Pita Chips
Eight lightly toasted pita wedges served with a perfect puree of beans, garlic, lemon juice and parsley

Italian Sausage Puffs
A taste of warm Italian sausage and mozzarella melted to perfection in golden pastry puff, served with marinara

Stuzzichini di Prosciutto e Melone
Prosciutto and melon lollipop; cantaloupe sphere wrapped in a thin slice of prosciutto

Fried Olives
Breaded olives deep fried to perfection and served piping hot.

Soups
Creamy Butternut Squash Soup
A velvety blend of butternut squash and hearty seasonings

Minestrone Invernale d’Orzo alla Salvia
Traditional Italian winter minestrone with barley and sage

Salads
Italian Leafy Green Salad
Romaine, escarole, radicchio and red-leaf lettuces, tossed with scallion, red pepper, green pepper and cherry tomato, topped with light vinaigrette

Caesar Salad
A classic blend of romaine lettuce with crunchy croutons, and Caesar dressing with the addition of crumbled bacon pieces and mozzarella cheese

Entrees
Pollo Arrosto con Arancia ed Uvetta
Roasted Chicken seasoned to perfection and served with oranges and currants, which brings the sweet and savory flavors together

Linguine con Gamberi e Rucola
A delicate dish of linguine pasta tossed with succulent shrimp and baby arugula, bathed in a subtle seafood sauce

Torta Salata al Forkaggio con Asparagi
Savory cheese and asparagus pie, this creamy blend of Ricotta, Mozzarella, Peorino Romano, and Feta cheese is baked to golden perfection. (Vegetarian)

Arrosto di Manzo
Succulent beef pot-roast with seasoned and simmered with carrots, herbs, juniper, mace and beef stock

Polenta Eggplant Caponata
A rich blend of fresh vegetables, capers, raisins, and eggplant, served with polenta

Desserts
Cannoli Profumati all Arancia
The classic cannoli filled with ricotta, mascarpone and orange, dipped in chopped pistachios

Biscotti ai Due Sapori
A colorful mix of pistachio, apricot, and cranberry create this brightly flavored biscotti

Tiramisu with Fruit
Decadent tiramisu with alternating layers of ladyfingers, jam, mascarpone, and raspberries

Dinners are open to the public. Reservations are required. They are located on Ivy Tech’s Coliseum Campus (3800 N. Anthony Blvd.) in the Hospitality Room (enter door 24 on the north side of the building). Cost is $20 per person, cash or check only. Wine served at an extra cost per glass. Reservations are taken for times between 5 and 6:30 p.m. and must be made at least 24 hours in advance. To make a reservation, call the Special Cuisine Dinner Series line at 260-480-2002. For the complete dinner schedule, visit IvyTech.edu/northeast/dinners.

Dinner schedule (All are on Thursdays.)

February 7	Italian Buffet
February 14	Mardi Gras Buffet
February 21	German Buffet
March 7	Middle Eastern Buffet
March 11-29 April 4 April 11 April 18 April 25 May 2	NO DINNERS SCHEDULED Russian a la carte French  a la carte Mexican/South American  a la carte African  a la carte Tapas-style Dinner