Awaken your taste buds at Food for Thought

The annual Food for Thought event is aptly named, as proceeds from ticket sales for the foodie fun fest go toward supporting student academic scholarships.

Organized by the Fond du Lac Tribal and Community College Foundation, this year’s event will feature signature food and beverage specialties from 20 different local vendors, plus a “wall of wine,” silent auction and raffles galore. Food for Thought is scheduled for Thursday, Jan. 17, from 4:30 to 7 p.m.

“It’s fun to see so many people walk through the doors of the college who typically aren’t here,” said FDLTCC’s Mary Soyring, one of the main organizers of the annual event. “This event is the Foundation’s largest scholarship fundraiser each year.”

Kerry Rodd will be master of ceremonies for this year’s event.

Tickets cost $25 per person in advance or $30 at the door and are available in advance at the FDLTCC business office at 2101 14th Street in Cloquet, or Reliable Insurance Agency, 803 Carlton Ave. in Cloquet. Food for Thought is entirely inside, so the event will go on regardless of temperature or weather.

“Unless there is a blizzard causing area schools and businesses to close, we will be here,” Soyring said, adding that the first Food for Thought event got a large crowd in minus-20 degree temps.

So what can food lovers and Thunder supporters expect to tantalize their taste buds at this year’s event?

Here are a few of the highlights:

•Cranberry BBQ turkey sandwiches by Jim-N-Jo’s Northland Katering

• Mexican Sopes from Streetcar Kitchen & Pub

• Family Tradition Restaurant’s special chicken salad

• Ribs and coleslaw from Carmen’s

• Raspberry basil chicken on butterkäse cheese from Whole Foods deli

• Shrimp and lobster dip from Trapper Pete’s

• Dry-aged grilled lamb chop on rice pilaf, rosemary-infused demi-glace

• Smoked whitefish with horseradish appetizers from Northern Waters Smokehaus

Other local restaurants and businesses bringing goodies include NE BBQ & Smokehouse, Cold One Liquor, the Warming House, Common Ground, Magnolia Café, Exchange Deli/Bakery, Mama’s Best Baklava, Chef’s Marketplace Catering, Corktown Deli and Brews and Papa Murphy’s pizza.

In addition to the money raised by selling tickets to the event, Food for Thought will raffle off a $1,000 travel voucher as well as four Minnesota Wild tickets. Raffle tickets are $10 each (need not be present to win). As well, this year’s raffle prizes also include a Lake Superior Helicopters tour, a float plane ride, a fire ring and a B&B Market meat bundle.

Guests may also wander over to the famous Wall of Wine once they eat their fill. For a minimal donation per bottle, guests select a random bottle of wine and an envelope containing a gift card ranging in value from $10 to $40 donated from an area business.

“Come as you are to this informal gathering, plan to eat amazing food, expect to see folks you know and meet new friends!” Soyring said, adding that last year the Foundation raised a total of $24,000 for student scholarships through the Food for Thought event.

After all, what could be better than eating good food for a good cause?