FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
April 4, 2008
Contact: Brandi Pannell
(662) 329-7119

MUW Homecoming to feature master chef and blues band; events open to public

COLUMBUS, Miss. – Mississippi University for Women’s Homecoming is
adding an event and continuing a new favorite, both of which will be
open to the public.

Festivities will begin on Thursday, April 17, a day earlier than in years past. With the extra day comes a new event to raise money for MUW’s culinary arts program. At 6:30 p.m., there will be a reception and dinner with Master Chef Jose Gutierrez, owner of Encore restaurant in Memphis. Gutierrez is one of only 50 master chefs in the United States. He began his career at the Professional Culinary School in his native France before coming to the United States and working at Chez Phillipe at The Peabody Hotel.

“The culinary arts dinner is one of our new events planned for Homecoming,” said Becky Tate Cade, interim director of alumni relations. “We are excited to have Chef Gutierrez and his wife Colleen working with our culinary arts students to prepare and serve a meal on our campus. Of course all proceeds will go to the culinary arts program and its students.”

Tickets for the event, which will be held in Pope Banquet Room, are $75
and can be purchased through the Office of Alumni Relations. There are a
limited number of tickets available for this event, which is open to the public as well as any interested Homecoming participants.

Friday night’s headliner will be the second annual Blues and Barbeque.

Cade said, “Last year's Blues and Barbeque event went over so well that we felt the need to offer it again this year.”

Music will be provided by the group Blue Matter. Members are Drew Dieckmann, guitar; Robert Damm, drums and Rick Montalto, bass.

“We encourage alumni, family and friends to bring their lawn chairs and join us in eating some great barbecue and listening to some wonderful jazz music.”

The event, which is from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m., is sponsored by the Student Programming Board and Sodexho. It is free to all Homecoming attendees, MUW employees and students. The cost for all others is $15. 

For tickets to either event or for more information, contact the Office of Alumni Relations at (662) 329-7295.