Panhandle Chapter Hosts AmTech “Taste of the Holidays” Wine Dinner Showcasing Culinary Talent

Panhandle Chapter Hosts AmTech "Taste of the Holidays" Wine Dinner Showcasing Culinary Talent Culinary students from AmTech Career Academy to prepare a five-course menu paired with wine and handcrafted mocktails during an elegant evening celebrating education, flavor, and community. AMARILLO, TX (October 24, 2025) - The Texas Restaurant Association's Panhandle Chapter will host the AmTech "Taste of the Holidays" Wine Dinner on Thursday, November 13, from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. CST at Joe's Place in Amarillo, generously provided by Colby Monroe. Tickets are available online. Guests will enjoy an elegant, multi-course dinner designed and prepared by AmTech Career Academy culinary arts students, led by Chef Rhonda Obenhaus and Chef Allisun Wilbur. The evening will feature locally inspired cuisine paired with Juggernaut Wines, offering guests a festive experience that celebrates both culinary education and community partnership. The AmTech Career Academy Culinary Arts program provides high school students with hands-on, real-world experience in professional kitchens. Under the mentorship of industry-trained instructors, students learn knife skills, flavor theory, menu development, and front-of-house service-all while earning certifications that prepare them for careers in the restaurant and hospitality industries. Events like the Taste of the Holidays Wine Dinner give these students a chance to apply their training in a professional setting, connect with local chefs and business leaders, and showcase their creativity to the community. "Our students are incredibly talented and passionate about hospitality," said Chef Rhonda Obenhaus, Culinary Arts Instructor at AmTech Career Academy. "This dinner allows them to experience the teamwork, precision, and artistry that define our industry, all while serving the community that supports their growth." The evening's menu includes: Hand-passed appetizers: Leek corn dog and tuna tartare -- Paired with handcrafted student mocktails-an inventive, alcohol-free pairing that highlights their creativity and understanding of flavor balance. Butternut squash bisque -- Paired with Juggernaut Chardonnay Autumn roll with shredded Brussels sprouts, roasted beets & figs -- Paired with Juggernaut Pinot Noir Long bone pork loin with roasted apple jus and sweet potato purée -- Paired with Juggernaut Cabernet Bourbon pecan chocolate trifle -- Paired with Juggernaut Red Blend These valued partners are investing in the future of culinary education and helping to strengthen the Amarillo foodservice community, and their support is much appreciated: Food Sponsor, Ben E. Keith Foods, Wine Sponsor, Southern Glazer's Wine & Spirits / Juggernaut Wines, Colby Monroe, for hosting the event at Joe's Place in Amarillo and Ben E. Keith Culinary Resource Team members Ethan Williams and Joey Neusch. Event Details Taste of the Holidays Wine Dinner Presented by: Panhandle Chapter, Texas Restaurant Association Date: Thursday, Nov. 13, 2025 Time: 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. CST Location: Joe's Place, 2108 Paramount Blvd., Amarillo, Texas Tickets: Purchase online here ABOUT AMTECH CAREER ACADEMY AmTech Career Academy in Amarillo Independent School District provides advanced career and technical education programs that connect students to industry leaders, real-world projects, and high-demand career paths. Through programs like Culinary Arts, AmTech equips students with the professional skills, certifications, and confidence needed to succeed in Texas' growing hospitality sector. ABOUT THE PANHANDLE CHAPTER OF THE TEXAS RESTAURANT ASSOCIATION Formed in 1937, the Texas Restaurant Association serves as the advocate and indispensable resource for the food service industry in Texas. As a key chapter of the TRA, the Panhandle Chapter partners with the TRA, the Texas Restaurant Foundation, and the 22 other TRA chapters across the state to protect, advance, and educate restaurants of all sizes in Armstrong, Briscoe, Carson, Castro, Childress, Collingsworth, Dallam, Deaf Smith, Donley, Gray, Hall, Hansford, Hartley, Hemphill, Hutchinson, Lipscomb, Moore, Ochiltree, Oldham, Parmer, Potter, Randall, Roberts, Sherman, Swisher, and Wheeler Counties. For more information, please visit https://http://www.txrestaurant.org/panhandle. ABOUT THE TEXAS RESTAURANT ASSOCIATION Formed in 1937, the Texas Restaurant Association (TRA) serves as the leading advocate and resource for the foodservice industry in Texas. Representing the state's $138 billion restaurant industry and its 57,000+ locations, the TRA works to protect, advance, and educate the industry's 1.4 million employees. Alongside the Texas Restaurant Foundation, the TRA continues to drive growth and innovation in the hospitality sector. For more information, visit https://www.txrestaurant.org.