Alumnus John McKibbon ’75 makes $5M gift to FIU Chaplin School of Hospitality & Tourism Management

–By Ivonne Amor John McKibbon and his wife Letitia have made a $5 million gift to the Florida International University Chaplin School of Hospitality & Tourism Management that will enhance alumni outreach, implement formal integration of technology and innovation into the curriculum, and create student scholarships at the top-10 U.S. public hospitality school from which he graduated. The McKibbon ’75 […]

W.K. Kellogg Foundation supports StartUP FIU Food program to help entrepreneurs of color digitally transform their businesses

The W.K. Kellogg Foundation recently granted FIU $400,000 to launch the StartUP FIU Food Digital Transformation Program. Launched in 2017 as a collaboration between StartUP FIU and the Chaplin School of Hospitality & Tourism Management, StartUP FIU Food helps local food entrepreneurs strengthen and grow their businesses. The StartUP FIU Food Digital Transformation Program is designed for low-moderate income entrepreneurs […]

Promoting Excellence: Bacardi USA donates $5M to FIU

Gift will create the Bacardi Center of Excellence at the Chaplin School of Hospitality & Tourism Management and support CasaCuba –By Ivonne Yee-Amor Gift will create the Bacardi Center of Excellence at the Chaplin School of Hospitality & Tourism Management and support CasaCuba FIU’s Chaplin School of Hospitality & Tourism Management has announced a $5 million gift […]

Miami-Dade County’s hospitality industry recovering but facing more than $3 billion in losses this year

FIU/GMCVB study says consumer confidence and government policy and support are critical to the industry’s future –By Ivonne Amor for FIU News Miami-Dade County hotel and restaurants – the two largest hospitality industries in South Florida – have taken a $3.36 billion dollar hit from COVID-19, according to a new study. The study released today […]

A community of supporters bolsters South Florida hospitality industry

This story was originally published on FIU News. For alumna Heather De La Torre and her husband Jesus, owners of Jr’s Gourmet Burgers in Miami Springs, business is a family affair. The “mom-and-pop” restaurant celebrates its 10-year anniversary this year, and the couple thinks of their small, close-knit staff as kin. But, like many restaurants […]

Hospitality employees give thanks for financial help during pandemic

–By Ivonne Amor for FIU News Alex Kuk couldn’t stop smiling when the mailman dropped off his mail. In the stack of letters and bills addressed to his restaurant, Temple Street Eatery in Fort Lauderdale, was a ray of hope in the form of a check from FIU. “Literally, I think we were just jumping […]

A Festival Raises Millions

The 19th annual edition of the Food Network & Cooking Channel South Beach Wine & Food Festival presented by Capital One (SOBEWFF®) will take place February 19 – 23, 2020. For information and to order tickets, visit the festival website. Hosted by Southern Glazer’s Wine & Spirits, the Food Network & Cooking Chanel South Beach […]