Susser, owner of Chef Allens restaurant and an FIU School of Hospitality and Tourism Management alumnus, prepared a three-course meal in the Schools high-tech demo kitchen, provided restaurant management and culinary tips, and answered student questions.
Thirty-five Florida International University (FIU) School of Hospitality and Tourism Management graduate students received a world-class lesson in the culinary arts as acclaimed Chef Allen Susser guest lectured on Florida cuisine as part of their International Food Production Management course. Susser, owner of Chef Allen’s restaurant and an FIU School of Hospitality and Tourism Management alumnus, prepared a three-course meal in the School’s high-tech demo kitchen, provided restaurant management and culinary tips, and answered student questions.
“It is our goal to continuously provide our students with enriching learning experiences that provide practical exposure to the industry, including access to working professionals,” said Mike Hampton, Dean of Florida International University’s School of Hospitality and Tourism Management. “We were delighted to welcome distinguished alumnus Chef Allen back into the classroom to share his expertise with our students. Not only is he one of today’s most acclaimed chefs, but he is also a true example of the university’s Worlds Ahead mission of exceeding expectations and becoming a leader in the industry.”
During the International Food Production Management class, the students were able to observe Chef Allen and learn from his experience and culinary techniques. There was also an opportunity for the students to sample Chef Allen’s Florida cuisine specialties prepared during the class, including Local Kingklip Ceviche with Cilantro and Lime; Wild Florida Shrimp Mojito; and Pistachio-Crusted Mahi Mahi with a Fricassee of Rock Shrimp, Mango, Leeks and Coconut Rum. Susser noted to the class that Florida cuisine is about using fresh, local ingredients such as fish and tropical fruits, and stressed the importance of using sustainable ingredients.
Said student Daniel Bloom, “I am a professionally-trained chef pursuing a degree in hospitality management, and part of the reason I got into this business was because I loved Chef Allen’s style and cuisine. I thought this was an amazing class and a wonderful opportunity to learn from one of the best.”
The International Food Production Management course at FIU School of Hospitality and Tourism Management is a graduate course taught by Chef Michael Moran. The course emphasizes the study of commercial food production management, and includes instruction on international cooking principles and weekly lecture demonstrations in the School’s state of the art lecture demonstration theatre.
About Florida International University’s School of Hospitality and Tourism Management: Florida International University's School of Hospitality and Tourism Management is one of the highest rated hospitality and tourism programs in the United States. Each year, over 1,400 undergraduate and graduate students from across the United States and around the world choose FIU for its outstanding reputation, advantageous campus locations, expert faculty, rich curriculum, and fast-track career advantages in the international hotel, foodservice and tourism industries. In August 2006 FIU unveiled the first US School of Hospitality and Tourism in Tianjin, China. The Marriott Tianjin China Program is FIU’s largest international program, with a capacity for up to 2,000 students. For more information about Florida International University’s School of Hospitality and Tourism Management, visit http://hospitality.fiu.edu/.
About FIU: Florida International University is one of the 25 largest universities in the nation, with more than 42,000 students. Nearly 130,000 FIU alumni live and work in South Florida. Its colleges and schools offer more than 200 bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral programs in fields such as engineering, international relations and law. As one of South Florida’s anchor institutions, FIU is worlds ahead in its local and global engagement, finding solutions to the most challenging problems of our time. FIU emphasizes research as a major component of its mission. The opening of the Herbert Wertheim College of Medicine in August 2009 has enhanced the university’s ability to create lasting positive change in our community. For more information about FIU, visit http://www.fiu.edu/.