Tuesday, April 17, 2018
What: The inaugural Celebrity Chef Series at the University of North Texas – An evening of “Food. Love. Hospitality.” is a UNT fundraiser featuring guest, Chef Tim Love. Proceeds will benefit the hospitality management program of the College of Merchandising, Hospitality and Tourism.
When/Where: April 23 (Monday). 6:30 p.m. general reception, followed by dinner at 7 p.m. in the ballroom of the Gateway Center, located at 800 North Texas Blvd. in Denton.
Cost: Tickets are $250 per person. To purchase tickets and for information, visit https://one.unt.edu/unt-celebrity-chef-series.Table sponsorships are available and include a VIP wine tasting and the opportunity to meet Love.
Contact: For additional event questions, contact 940-565-4696 or Rosa.Malave@unt.edu.
Press passes: Contact Monique.Bird@unt.edu by April 20 (Friday). Space is limited.
Photo: Download image of Tim Love.
DENTON (UNT), Texas — Acclaimed chef, restauranteur and television personality Tim Love is lending his culinary expertise to a unique cause: the launch of the Celebrity Chef Series at the University of North Texas. UNT students will cook, serve and learn side-by-side with Love and his team during the inaugural event on April 23, an exclusive evening of “Food. Love. Hospitality.” that will raise funds for UNT’s hospitality management program.
“I couldn't be more thrilled to help launch the Celebrity Chef Series and share the valuable lessons and techniques I’ve learned as a chef with the UNT student community,” says Love. “I've made an extraordinary career for myself from opportunities within the hospitality industry and am honored to support the next generation of industry talent."
“To have Chef Tim Love kick off our Celebrity Chef Series is an amazing opportunity that will give our students the ability to test their skills on one of the largest stages there is with five-star, executive chefs, sommeliers and wait staff,” said Jerry Agrusa, chair of the UNT Department of Hospitality Management and Tourism.
During the dinner, Love will speak about the menu selection and preparation, as well as share the story of how he expanded one restaurant into an empire.
Born and raised in Denton, Chef Love is known for both his vibrant personality and signature Urban Western cuisine. He opened his first restaurant, Lonesome Dove Western Bistro, in Fort Worth in 2000 and quickly built on that success to start several others, including Queenie’s Steakhouse, Love Shack, and the storied White Elephant Saloon.
Among Love’s honors, his restaurant, Woodshed Smokehouse, was named one of Bon Appétit’s “50 Best New Restaurants” in 2012, and he has made public appearances at the Food & Wine Classic in Aspen and Austin Food + Wine, which he co-founded in 2012. Love also co-hosted Restaurant Startup on CNBC, won the title of “Iron Chef America” on Food Network , and has been featured in prominent outlets such as the New York Times, Southern Living and The Today Show.
In addition, Chef Love is dedicated to philanthropic causes, including Burgers 4 Babies, which he founded in 2010 to benefit NICU Helping Hands. He currently lives in Fort Worth with his wife Emilie and their three children.
