Join us for a variety of educational and recreational events at the Tony & Libba Rane Culinary Science Center! Wine tastings, cooking classes and other special events will be offered to the public throughout the year. Learn how to pair wines with your meal. Experiment with flavor. Rub elbows with professional chefs. The Horst Schulze School of Hospitality Management is eager to provide incredible opportunities for the community to enjoy its resources. Sign up for one or more of our upcoming events below. More events to come!
The Battle of the Beverage returns, and this year it's New Realm Brewing Co. versus Trinchero Family Estates in a high-stakes showdown of hops vs. grapes. Chef Christopher Wilton has crafted a sensational five-course tasting menu, each dish designed to dazzle your palate. But the real question is: who paired it better? With each round, beer and wine experts will present their perfect match—and you get to taste, judge, and vote.
Five Courses. Ten Pairings. One Champion.
Your vote decides the victor. Will beer reign supreme, or will wine steal the crown?
Expect bold flavors, spirited competition, and a night of unforgettable indulgence. Sip, savor, and settle the score.
Five-course menu provided by Wilton’s Catering:
• Wilton’s Green Gumbo
• Sticky Chinese Pork Belly with Jalapeño Slaw
• Pickle Brined Fried Chicken with Hot Honey on Cornmeal Waffle
• Roast Beef Crostini with Horseradish, Arugula and Roasted Tomatoes
• Wild Mushroom Perogies with Caramelized Onions, Chives and Sour Cream
Friday, November 7, 2025
Rane Culinary Science Center’s Outdoor Greenspace*
6:00pm - 8:00pm
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This fall, we’re turning up the cozy and cranking up the flavor with a baking class that’s anything but basic. Fall evokes the scents and tastes of cinnamon, pumpkin and apples. Join us as we take baking classics, cinnamon rolls and loaves, and put a fall twist on them with the seasonal flavors of pumpkin & apple. Jennifer Cooper of Gigi’s Cupcakes will guide you through a hands-on baking class. You will learn to make pumpkin cinnamon rolls and an apple crumb bread loaf perfect for serving brunch guests throughout the holidays or gifting to your hosts wherever the holidays take you. Two sessions offer the choice between a morning or an evening class to suit a variety of schedules.
Menu
Pumpkin Cinnamon Rolls & Apple Crumb Bread Loaf
About the Guest Speakers:
Jennifer Cooper is a baker, mom, wife & entrepreneur. She is the owner of Gigi’s Cupcakes in Opelika & Columbus, GA.
Tuesday, November 4, 2025
Offering two sessions
Morning: 9:00 am – noon
Evening: 5:30pm – 8:30 pm
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If giving delicious little packages all tied up with string is one of your favorite things, join us in the Patisserie as we learn to make holiday goodies like chocolate hazelnut biscotti and indulgent chocolate bark.
Biscotti are versatile, twice-baked cookies that are perfect to serve with coffee and tea, or to package and deliver throughout the year. Chef Ana Plana will guide you through each step as you create, bake and decorate these decadent biscotti.
As a bonus, you will prepare a decadent chocolate bark studded with pomegranate and crystalized ginger. With chocolate as your canvas, you will be introduced to various ways to get creative with this sweet treat.
At the end of class, you will take all your goodies home, wrapped and ready for gifting!
Chocolate Hazelnut Biscotti* and Indulgent Chocolate Bark
*contains nuts
About the Guest Speakers:
Chef Ana Plana, Ph.D, ME, is a lecturer at Auburn University in the Horst Schulze School of Hospitality Management. She has extensive experience in culinary instruction and a background in catering. Because of her sustainability focus, Chef Plana has had the honor of being selected to attend the James Beard Chef Action Summit.
Monday, October 27, 2025
Offering two sessions — Afternoon or Evening
Afternoon: 1:00 - 4:00 pm
Evening: 5:30 - 8:30pm
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The Horst Schulze School of Hospitality Management invites the community to a variety of wine tasting classes with Master Sommelier Thomas Price in the fall 2025 semester. Guests will learn about the wines and tasting techniques in a fun, casual class environment. Tickets are $85 per person and may be purchased online. Guests must be 21 or older and show proof of ID. Guests will taste various wines accompanied by light charcuterie.
About the Speaker: Master Sommelier Thomas Price has spent the last 35 years working in some of Seattle’s most prominent restaurants, including his own. Shortly after obtaining his Master Sommelier certificate in 2012, Price joined Jackson Family Fine Wines as National Director of Wine Education, in addition to working with Auburn University’s Hospitality Management program as a visiting sommelier over the last ten years.
Oregon’s Pinot Noirs: Unlike Any Others in the World
Wednesday, October 29, 2025
6:00 pm
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The Crown Jewel of Italy: The Piedmont Region
Wednesday, November 19, 2025
6:00 pm
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Celebrating the Season: Holiday Wines
Wednesday, December 10, 2025
6:00 pm
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In this five-class series, Master Sommelier Thomas Price will guide you through the rich traditions of Old World wines—from the vineyards of France to the storied regions of Europe where winemaking was born.
Dates: August 21, September 25, October 30, November 20 and December 11
Time: 6:00-7:30 p.m., 90 minutes
Cost: $495 per person, including wine for all sessions
What You Will Learn
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For questions, contact Caitlin Myers via email or 334-844-4267.
Tickets may be transferrable. No refunds or exchanges will be given the week of an event.