Le Gourmet makes its Richmond debut, raises more than $231,000

The Hart School of Hospitality, Sport and Recreation Management at James Madison University celebrated the 22nd edition of its signature fundraising event, Le Gourmet, bringing together alumni, industry partners, students and supporters for an evening celebrating community, learning and impact.

This year’s event welcomed over 200 attendees and raised just over $231,000, making it the Hart School’s largest fundraiser. Hosted in Richmond for the first time at the Dewey Gottwald Center, guests bid in the live auction, celebrated award recipients and enjoyed food, music and dancing. All proceeds directly support Hart School students through scholarships, experiential learning opportunities and professional development.

While the fundraising totals were impressive, the evening also highlighted the students who helped bring the event to life. From months of planning to on-site execution, Hart School students played a central role in the event.

“The level of professionalism and collaboration demonstrated by our students was remarkable,” said Theresa Lind, associate professor and Le Gourmet faculty lead. “From preparation to execution, students showed strong teamwork and communication skills that helped the event run smoothly. It was especially impressive to see how they supported one another and stepped in to solve challenges as they arose.”

For students, Le Gourmet is more than a night of celebration; it is a hands-on learning experience that mirrors their future careers. 

“Le Gourmet has been one of the most meaningful experiences of my time in the Hart School,” said Sophie Salazar, a senior Hospitality Management major, who served as one of the event’s senior student representatives. “It was the first experience where I truly had the opportunity to be involved in every stage of event execution, from early brainstorming and planning meetings to the final moments when the event came to life. Being part of something that gives back to a community that has given me so much made the experience even more rewarding.”

Together, the fundraising success and student leadership experience behind Le Gourmet highlight the event’s impact—supporting Hart School students while providing meaningful, real-world learning experiences that prepare them for their future careers.