Emmetsburg, IA (northwestiowanow.com) — Iowa Lakes Community College’s Culinary & Hospitality Management program received a $12,777 donation of professional kitchen equipment from Wild Rose Casino and Hotel. The donation will enhance hands-on learning for future chefs and hospitality professionals.

The partnership stems from the shared history of Jesse Grossnickle, Culinary and Hospitality Management instructor at Iowa Lakes and 2006 graduate, who began his career at Wild Rose. Grossnickle and Steve Cody, now General Manager at Wild Rose, collaborated after Grossnickle’s students catered a Chamber of Commerce event in spring 2024.