Kings Island Chefs Take Over the Kitchen at Cincinnati State Midwest Culinary Institute for a Pop Up Dinner

Kings Island’s executive chef and two-time Chopped TV reality cooking show champion James Major and area manager, culinary chef Nathan Gushulak will be taking over the kitchen at Cincinnati State Midwest Culinary Institute for a Pop Up Dinner February 20 at 6 p.m.

Chef James and Chef Nathan -- an alumni from the Cincinnati State culinary program -- often go out to the school to recruit culinary students and teach classes, but also as a way to get out in the community and help out.

What’s nice about the Pop Up Dinner is a handful of culinary students will be helping them prepare the meal. They get an opportunity to work with professional chefs, learn techniques and learn something that they’re not necessarily learning in the classroom. Hospitality students will be waiting tables and serving, so it’s great on the job training for all students right there at the school.

The menu will be themed around one of the most anticipated new rides in the amusement and theme park industry this year -- the Orion roller coaster debuting in April -- with Chef James and Chef Nathan naming each course after a constellation:

Troposphere

• Nebula – Pancetta and Breaded Egg, Pommes Frites

Stratosphere

• Aquarius – Maple Bourbon Glazed Scallop, Gruyere Grits, Jerusalem Artichoke

Mesosphere

• Apus – Roasted Cornish Hen, Carrot & Cauliflower Puree, Sage Butter

Thermosphere

• Sagitta – Seared Short-Rib or Strip Loin, Wilted Spinach, Mushroom and Pearl Onion, Cabernet Jam

Exosphere

• Circinus – Cranberry and White Chocolate Bread Pudding with Chantilly Cream

The cost to attend the Pop Up Dinner is free! You must RSVP in advance via email to scott.holubetz@cincinnatistate.edu. While the meal is free, donations to the Midwest Culinary Institute scholarship fund is encouraged.