The gym in the Student Life Center on North Campus was transformed into a banquet hall for A Reason to Taste.

In its second year, Ivy Tech Community College Northeast’s A Reason to Taste has raised nearly $60,000, which all goes to the Ivy Tech Foundation, the scholarship arm of the college.

The event took place the evening of Oct. 12 in the Student Life Center on Ivy Tech Northeast’s North Campus, 3701 Dean Drive.

Hospitality Administration students who win the chance to travel to France to study cooking for two weeks put on the event. They create the menu, prepare the food, serve, and bus, with the help of an event committee and some Ivy Tech Northeast employees.

“It’s an out-of-the-box experience to have culinary students cook the total gourmet dinner for you under the chef’s tutelage,” committee member Donna Packnett said. “It was phenomenal.”

Students created menus and prepared the dishes for a five-course meal. The entree was beef bourguignon with a potato tower and vegetables.

The menu included dishes like beef bourguignon and a dessert trio of pear frangipane tart, a maple pumpkin pots de crème, and a chocolate macaroon.

Visit Ivy Tech Northeast’s flickr page to see photos from the event and check out two videos on the college’s YouTube channel featuring students who traveled to France and helped prepare the event menu.

Next year’s event has been scheduled for Oct. 25, 2014. Those who are interested in sponsorship opportunities and/or serving on the planning committee can contact Mary Jo Toenges at mtoenges@ivytech.edu or 260-481-2243.