Students from Owens Community College’s Culinary Arts Program and the University of Findlay’s Hospitality
Management Program will showcase their talents by preparing and serving a luncheon for French Ambassador
Francois Delattre during his visit to Northwest Ohio on Wednesday.
During the visit, the ambassador will also deliver an address at the University of Findlay, and visit the
Toledo Museum of Art’s new exhibit, The Art of the Louvre’s Tuileries Garden.
"During the ambassador’s visit, we will showcase all that our area has to offer and demonstrate
France’s economic ties to Northwest Ohio," said U.S. Rep. Bob Latta. Bowling Green, who helped to
organize the visit and is co-chairman of the Congressional French Caucus. "In addition, it is an
excellent opportunity for us to highlight the wealth of talent we have in our area, as our students put
their skills to work by preparing and serving a meal fit for a foreign dignitary."
The opportunity to showcase the culinary arts program to Delattre means a lot to Dr. Mike Bower,
president of Owens.
"Faculty and staff have been training students in our new Culinary Arts Center," he said,
"and I am pleased the ambassador will be able to experience the results of the skills and training
of those students."
The luncheon will feature traditional French cuisine with highlights including Salade Nicoise with
tarragon vinaigrette, house-made baguettes, and poached pear and Frangipane tarts. Hors d’oeuvres of
French cheeses, house-made charcuterie with an olive trio, chilled mussels, and Crostini of Tenderloin
Carpaccio with capers will also be served.