Western Iowa Tech Community College's Culinary Department contributed a major element to the recently held For the Senses: A Symphony of Discovery presented by the Sioux City Symphony Orchestra. The performance invited guests to explore sound, sight, smell, touch, and taste. As part of this multisensory approach, WITCC Culinary students created the food components featured within a five-part sensory box designed for the event.
The department produced 1,000 boxes for guests, giving students a great opportunity to manage a large-scale culinary production from start to finish. Students and faculty developed two original food items for the box: a southern cornmeal biscuit with clarified butter molasses and a smoked peach marshmallow. They also collaborated on preparing and assembling the remaining items in the sensory box, which together created a coordinated experience for the audience.
The project involved planning, recipe development, coordination with event partners, and detailed packaging. Numerous campus volunteers helped pack and assemble the sensory boxes. The project was completed at cost, with many students and staff donating their time and energies to help create this sensory experience.
The work reflects the strengths of the WITCC Culinary program. Students regularly gain hands-on experience through community partnerships, catering opportunities, vendor collaboration, large-order preparation, and customer-focused service. These real-world learning experiences prepare graduates for careers in restaurants, catering, bakeries, hotels, and other professional food service settings.
We are proud to support an event that brings arts and education together, highlighting the value of community partnerships and the talent of our Culinary students.
To learn more about the Culinary program, visit www.witcc.edu/programs/243/.