INDIANAPOLIS — Ivy Tech Community College Indianapolis’ School of Culinary Arts & Hospitality Management will host Bourbon & Bites, an evening celebrating bourbon, cuisine, and community, on Thursday, May 7, at Courses Restaurant on the Ivy Tech Indianapolis campus.
The event brings together exceptional bourbons, thoughtfully paired cuisine, and the talents of Ivy Tech culinary and hospitality students in support of student enrichment and hands-on learning opportunities.
Guests will experience bourbon through two curated offerings designed for both discovery and connection. The evening begins with The Social Pour, a lively tasting mixer featuring a welcome cocktail, curated bourbon pours and batched cocktails, and chef- and student-crafted small bites.
Later in the evening, guests can participate in The Curated Reserve - Pairing Dinner, an intimate guided dining experience where select bourbons are paired with a multi-course menu prepared and served by Ivy Tech culinary and hospitality students.
Hosted at Courses Restaurant, the student-operated fine dining restaurant inside Ivy Tech’s Conference Center and Culinary Institute, Bourbon & Bites offers attendees a unique opportunity to experience the next generation of hospitality professionals in action. The restaurant provides real-world training for students studying culinary arts, baking and pastry, and hospitality management while serving the Indianapolis community.
Proceeds from the event will support student enrichment initiatives, including travel opportunities, experiential learning, and professional development experiences that help prepare Ivy Tech students for careers in the hospitality and culinary industries.
“Bourbon & Bites is a celebration of craft, hospitality, and education,” said Chef Jenni Schouppe, program chair for the School of Culinary Arts and Hospitality Management at Ivy Tech Indianapolis. “Our students gain invaluable real-world experience through events like this — planning menus, preparing dishes, and serving guests in a professional setting while connecting with the community.”
For students, the event provides an opportunity to showcase their skills while learning firsthand how culinary and hospitality professionals design and execute memorable dining experiences.
The event will take place at Courses Restaurant, 2820 N. Meridian St., offering guests an elevated dining experience with views of the Indianapolis skyline.
Tickets and event details are available online.
Learn more or purchase tickets
About Ivy Tech Community College
Ivy Tech Community College is Indiana's largest public postsecondary institution and the nation's largest singly accredited statewide community college system, accredited by the Higher Learning Commission. Ivy Tech has campuses throughout Indiana and also serves thousands of students annually online. It serves as the state's engine of workforce development, offering associate degrees, long- and short-term certificate programs, industry certifications, and training that aligns with the needs of the community. The College provides a seamless transfer to other colleges and universities in Indiana, as well as out of state, for a more affordable route to a bachelor's degree.
