Oregon State University’s wide-ranging role in developing acclaimed food, wine and beer will be in the spotlight at a special evening event featuring food and drink from 20 companies related to OSU on Friday, Feb. 11.
“Savor Oregon” will feature a social and four-course dinner at The Vue in downtown Corvallis. Food and drink made by companies ranging from Country Natural Beef to Coquille Cranberries and from Panther Creek Cellars to Widmer Brothers Brewing Company will be the exclusive fare for the event.
The event resulted from a growing recognition of the university’s role in graduating students, assisting companies and developing acclaimed products that draw attention to the quality of Oregon food and beverages – and create companies and jobs around the state.
OSU’s College of Agricultural Sciences, ranked No. 1 in the nation for the influence of its faculty research, is home to the Department of Food Science Technology, which offers degree specializations in such areas as food processing and engineering, enology (winemaking), brewing science, dairy processing, seafood science and surimi and more.
Its pilot plan brewhouse and winery have helped launch or refine familiar brands throughout the Pacific Northwest, and its leadership in dairy product education and outreach has played a fundamental role in creating Oregon’s international award-winning artisan cheese industry. In recognition of that, a Portland couple recently donated $860,000 to create the Arbuthnot Dairy Center, which will make more resources available both for OSU students and Oregon’s small dairy food processors.
“OSU plays such an integral role in supporting and developing the food, wine and beer industries of this state, and the economic activity and jobs that go along with them, that ‘Savor Oregon’ seemed like a great opportunity to showcase the culinary treasures being produced in this state,” said Todd Simmons, interim vice president for University Relations and Marketing at OSU. “Our guests will enjoy a taste of Oregon in everything we serve.”
Reservations may still be made by visiting the Savor Oregon web page at oregonstate.edu/urm/events/savor-oregon.
About Oregon State University: OSU is one of only two U.S. universities designated a land-, sea-, space- and sun-grant institution. OSU is also Oregon’s only university to hold both the Carnegie Foundation’s top designation for research institutions and its prestigious Community Engagement classification. Its nearly 24,000 students come from all 50 states and more than 90 nations. OSU programs touch every county within Oregon, and its faculty teach and conduct research on issues of national and global importance.
