Dine and Learn: Continuting Ed to Host Meal

MANCHESTER – October 4, 2013 – Manchester Community College’s Continuing Education Division is offering another in an occasional series of class/meal combinations on Tuesday, October 29, when students will learn about the place and culture behind the food they are served.

“Middle Eastern Cuisine and the History and Culture of the Levant” will feature authentic Middle Eastern cuisine prepared and served by MCC’s culinary students. The class/meal will be held from noon to 1:30 p.m. in the college’s Culinary Arts Center. Seating is limited but there is still time to register (refer to CRN 31950). The fee, which includes the class and the meal, is $12.

“The meal we will be enjoying comes from the region of eastern Mediterranean countries called the Levant,” according to Sandra Jenkins, who serves as both instructor and host for the class/meal. “Countries of the Levant include Syria, Lebanon and Jordan. Our guest speaker will explain the history of the region and how it relates to the cuisine.”

Guest speaker is Dr. Akram Erik-Soussi, a native of Syria and professor at Mitchell College, who is also an MCC Credit-Free Programs instructor in art history, Arabic and Italian languages.

“Students will be served an authentic meal from the region that we believe they will enjoy all the more after learning about the fascinating culture of the Levant,” Jenkins said.

Jenkins, now retired from MCC, was a professor of hospitality management and culinary arts for more than 25 years. She still keeps her hand in with the unique class/meals offered by Credit-Free Programs. In the past, she has worked with the culinary students to provide dining and learning experiences based on food from Costa Rica, the French region of Provence, and Wales and England.

Enrolling in and completing Continuing Education courses through MCC means students have access to hands-on experts in the field for instruction, as well as the added benefit of an official college transcript that serves as a record of their education.

For more information, call the Credit Free Information line at 860-512-2800, or to register, contact the Registrar’s Office at 860-512-3232, or visit Credit-Free Programs.