From March through May, Niagara University's College of Hospitality and Tourism Management, in cooperation with the university's Office of Continuing and Community Education, will host a series of fine dining events for the community.

In addition, a special benefit dinner for the Heart and Soul food pantry and kitchen in Niagara Falls will take place on April 17. An Italian wine and food paring dinner event, hosted by Salvatore's Italian Gardens restaurant, will take place May 1.

This is the seventh year of the college's interactive dining series, showcasing the culinary skills of guest chefs and student managers. The dinners will be held in the Statler Dining Room on the fourth floor of St. Vincent's Hall, the university's main classroom building.

"The dinner series is another example of why we are a leading national and international program in hospitality and tourism," said Dr. Gary Praetzel, dean of the College of Hospitality and Tourism Management, "Our students receive great hands-on experiences and demonstrate their creativity in this dinner series."

Reservations for each of the upcoming events can be made through Niagara University's Office of Continuing and Community Education at (716) 286-8181. Payment with credit card is required when reservations are made. To reserve a seat for the Heart and Soul event, please call the organization at (716) 282-5687. Reservations for that event will not be accepted at the Office of Continuing and Community Education.

The four-course dining events will be held on Tuesdays beginning March 11 and continue on April 1 st, 8, 22and 29. The five-course dining events will be held on Thursdays, starting March 6 and continuing March 13, 27. Additional dinners will be held April 3 and 10. Tickets for the four-course student-chef-themed buffet dinners are $16; the five-course dinners are $20. All dinners have three seatings and begin at 6 p.m.

A special seven-course Chinese dinner, with guest chef Zongqing Zhou, associate professor of Hospitality and Tourism Management, will take place on April 26 at 5 p.m. The cost of this dinner is $25 per person.

The Heart and Soul dinner will be held Thursday, April 17. The volunteer appreciation dinner and fund-raising event will be held in conjunction with NU's College of Hospitality and Tourism Management. Heart and Soul is a not-for-profit organization dedicated to feeding the less fortunate and improving their quality of life. The event will be held at 939 Ontario Ave., Niagara Falls. The cost is $50 per person and $80 per couple. The deadline for reservations is April 10. Please call (716) 282-5687 for tickets.

The Italian wine and food paring event will be held Thursday, May 1, at Salvatore's Italian Gardens, 6461 Transit Rd., Depew. The event, which will feature Rocca Delle Macie wines, is sponsored by The Premier Wines Group. The cost is $75 per person. Please call the Office of Continuing and Community Education at (716) 286-8181 for tickets to this event.