"Where we love is home - home that our feet may leave, but not our hearts." (Oliver Wendall Holmes) Although it is her Senior year in The School of Hospitality Business, a part of Brittany's heart will forever be with Michigan and Les Gourmets. It is the experiences growing up in Michigan and during her college career that have shaped Brittany into the passionate individual she is today, along with her supportive and loving parents. Her previous work as a nanny led to the discovery of her love for seeing the development and growth of those around her. Working at The French Laundry in Fenton, MI, she discovered her passion for the hospitality industry and creating memorable experiences through world-class service. Most recently she interned with Lettuce Entertain You at Hub 51 in Chicago, gaining valuable insight of how a company can also act as a family. She is excited for the 2012 Executive Board to work together as a family this year. Working hard to create a memorable event that mixes formality with fun and showcases how Michigan leaves a rippling effect on all of our hearts and lives. She looks forward to seeing you on March 31st for Les Gourmets 2012: Pure Michigan!

Nicole graduated culinary school from the Illinos Institute of Art in Chicago three years ago, and this is her senior year at Michigan State University. She previously worked as a cook at the Union League Club in Chicago under a great mentor, Chef Michael Garbin. Summer of 2010 she completed an internship as the snack bar supervisor at the Maidstone Club in East Hampton, New York. She most recently completed an internship as a development intern, where she worked on the design and development of a bistro/wine bar. Nicole was on the board of the American Culinary Federation in Chicago as a Junior Representative, and she is currently the Vice President for Club Managers Association of America. Nicole is very excited about this years theme, having been born and raised in Michigan. It is a place she is proud to showcase and can not wait to share all the hard work that the Les Gourmets team has done this year with all the wonderful guests.

Sam is super excited about the theme Pure Michigan this year because not only is her school in Michigan but her home town, Lansing. She is currently a junior in The School of Hospitality Business and is completing her second year on the board of Les Gourmets. In her college career she has also been on the board for Alumni Auction as well as a Supervisor for Vegas Night and a participant in the Broad Freshman Program. Since the start of her freshman year she has worked for the Kellogg Center as a front office agent. She took a small hiatus from the beautiful Michigan to work for The Walt Disney World Company this past summer and fall. One day she hopes to find a career in either hotels or event coordination, but for the time being she's happy putting her energy into her school, work and Les Gourmets.

Brett is a senior this year working on his 4th Les Gourmets. Originally from Northbrook, IL Brett is very excited to be working on the Pure Michigan theme as a way to reflect on the past 4 years of attending Michigan State University. Brett's father Sheldon Kane has owned and operated Kosher Restaurants Slice of Life and Hy Life Bistro in Skokie, IL for 24 years. Having been raised in the restaurant industry, Brett is passionate about food and service and always enjoys the challenge as Front of House director of bringing everything together for the amazing one night event that is Les Gourmets. As Brett approaches graduation in May he looks forward to a future career in food and beverage and is thankful for all of the friendships and opportunities Les Gourmets has provided over the years.

Taylor, a junior in The School of Hospitality Business is honored to be apart of Les Gourmets 2012. Taylor Has worked in restaurants since she was 16 and has been in love ever since. She worked as the events coordinator for an initiative by the MSU Fisheries and Wildlife department and Michigan United Conservation Clubs called "Gourmet Gone Wild" which works to link conservationism to gourmet cooking. Taylor is the events coordinator for the Society for Foodservice Management. Taylor is working on an avid internship hunt for next summer where she can learn even more about the front of house experience. Taylor can't wait to show off the great talent of the students of The School of Hospitality Business and how truely amazing Pure Michigan is in Les Gourmets 2012.

Nate Redner is a senior from Grand Rapids, MI. Nate is a passionate foodie who has 5 years culinary experience. This is Nate's third year on the Les Gourmets Executive Board and he could not be more excited for this years theme, Pure Michigan. Born and raised in Michigan Nate could not have asked for a more appropriate theme for this years event. People eat to live but people dine to feel alive. Come dine with us at Les Gourmets!

Fred Wurster is from the lovely little town of Lapeer, MI. Growing up he always pictured himself as the next Indiana Jones, but once reality set in Hospitality was his only possible path! Since his first job he grew a passion for food and working in a kitchen. While helping grow and expand the Spartan Enology Society, he also grew a passion for the Wine Industry and is currently studying to take his Court of Master Sommeliers Introductory exam. Fred has stayed active in as many events and clubs as possible since he switched his major to Hospitality Business the end of his Sophomore year. His two favorites were the Spartan Enology Society and Les Gourmets, of course! Fred currently works part time for Michigan State's Culinary Services as an assistant to Corporate Chef Kurt Kwiatkowski. Despite working in Chicago the last two summers for Entertainment Cruises, he has always loved all the great things Michigan has to offer and hopes to share those with you at Les Gourmets!

Nick, a senior in The School, is extremely delighted and excited for Les Gourmets 2012, Pure Michigan. Born and raised near Detroit, Nick is thrilled to combine two of his greatest passions; cooking and his beloved home state, to deliver a most incredible evening. A self proclaimed gastronome, or connoisseur of fine foods, Nick's passion for cooking began at an early age in the savory kitchens of his grandmother and mother. Having interned at the Lexington Hotel, and currently at the Kellogg Center's own State Room Restaurant, Nick has been accepted to Schoolcraft College's Culinary Arts Program beginning next fall. Nick spent the summer of 2010 in Mexico eating his way through seven gastronomically diverse cities, from the raging street vendors of Mexico City to the finest tequila on the planet in Guadalajara, Jalisco, experiencing the flavors and cultures of our neighbors to the south. He dreams to connect his life experiences with his professional training to Les Gourmets. So whether it's at the cottage up north, the beach, the picnic, the workplace, or your own backyard, Nick and the Les Gourmets team hope you will celebrate Pure Michigan with them!

Abby is a senior in The School of Hospitality Business this year and is looking forward to being apart of Les Gourmets for her fourth year. She has had three internships in her college career, one at Lake Shore Country Club in Chicago, and two with the Kohler Company in Kohler, WI. Through those she gain experience in clubs, food and beverage, and lodging. However, after graduation she hopes to get a full time job in the lodging side of the industry. When she is not busy with school, Abby likes to spend her free time hanging out with friends, reading non-school related books, and napping. Although she is from out of state, she is looking forward to expanding her knowledge about Michigan with this year's theme of Pure Michigan, and cannot wait to see everyone's great ideas come together!

Courtney is currently a senior in The School of Hospitality Business and will be graduating in May 2012. This is her third year with Les Gourmets and she is very excited to be the Director of Marketing this year! Courtney completed a level one internship with Texas Roadhouse working as a server and trainer. Her level two internship was done with Millennium Restaurant Group in Kalamazoo Michigan working at Cityscape Events as an event planning intern. After graduation Courtney is planning to move to Chicago and hopes to pursue a career in event sales and marketing. Courtney is looking forward to showing everyone the best of Pure Michigan at this year's Les Gourmets!

Meagan is a Junior in The School of Hospitality Business and this is her first year serving as a director for Les Gourmets. Last year she was a volunteer for the event and was so impressed by the enthusiasm and hard work of the Les Gourmet team, she knew she wanted to continue her involvement with the event. Meagan is extremely excited about the 2012 "Pure Michigan" theme. Having spent a lot of time in Northern Michigan, primarily in the Leelanau Peninsula "wine country," Meg is familiar with many of the great products Michigan has to offer. She is looking forward to a "Pure Michigan" presentation at what is sure to be one of the most exciting and delicious Les Gourmets events in The School's history. Meagan also serves on the Executive Council within her sorority, the Executive Board for CAREER EXPO, and is currently working on her level two internship at the Kellogg Hotel and Conference Center. After graduation, Meagan plans to work in the hotel industry.

Tom, a Senior in The School of Hospitality Business, is in his first year as serving as a director for Les Gourmets. Tom brings excitement and a considerable knowledge of beverages and wine to his position of Donations Assistant Director and Ambassador of Beverages. Tom has developed a strong passion for wine, spending considerable time in the Finger Lakes wine region of New York where he has held two internships, as well as a study abroad that took him to Australia and New Zealand for a semester last fall. This summer Tom sought accreditation for his love of wine and beverages and passed the Level-I Sommelier Certification Exam in Washington D.C. through the Court of Master Sommeliers. Tom is also heavily involved in The School's newest student club, Spartan Enology Society, where he serves as Director of Scholarships & Fundraising and also facilitates the clubs Student Sommelier Program, a program designed to educate and prepare students for sommelier certification. Despite being an "out-of-stater", Tom has explored many parts of Michigan, often eating and drinking his way to new places. He is excited at the unique opportunity Les Gourmets 2012 gives to present regional Michigan offerings in their "PURE-st" form through the expression of HB students and all those involved. Cheers!

Although it will be bittersweet to participate in her final Les Gourmets, Erin could not be more excited to be selected as one of this year's Arts & Entertainment Directors among such a skilled and driven Executive Board. Anticipating graduation in May, she hopes to contribute knowledge from her past involvement with Les Gourmets, as well as several different internship, workplace, and club experiences to the team. Erin was born and raised in the Metro-Detroit area and is compelled to showcase the 'Pure Michigan' she has grown to know and love for the past 21 years. She is open-minded about her career after college, and believes living passionately will lead to a satisfying life and profession.

Lily is currently a junior in The School of Hospitality Business. This is Lily's 2nd year of involvement in Les Gourmets, starting as a volunteer server her sophomore year. Lily is extremely excited for Les Gourmets 2012 to highlight her beloved home state. Lily completed her Level I Internship at The Pizza House in East Lansing during her freshman year. She has also worked as a banquet server at The Lexington Lansing Hotel. This past summer Lily completed her Level II Internship at Lake Shore Country Club in Glencoe, IL. Through this internship she was able to receive a scholarship from the Greater Chicago Club Managers Association. Lily is looking forward to working with her peers to put on a fabulous Les Gourmets for her family and friends.

Rebecca Ginsberg is a native to California, so when she came to Michigan State University to attend The School of Hospitality Business, she slowly became accustomed to the beautiful state of Michigan. Showcasing what Michigan has to offer at this year's Les Gourmets couldn't end her senior year in a more climactic way. This past summer, she discovered her passion for Human Resources during her internship at The Westin Princeville in Hawaii, giving her the opportunity to work in a hands-on environment with invaluable experiences. For the past three years, Les Gourmets has given her the chance to discover the multiple facets of the hospitality industry. Rebecca has travelled with friends and family throughout the mitten and has grown to love the state she can now call home. She looks forward to working with such a talented Executive Board this year and hopes that this year's theme will leave a lasting impression on guests.

Currently a Senior in Computer Science at MSU with a cognate in Cognitive Science, John is pursuing a career in Embedded Systems and Military Technology. For the past two summers he worked on software for the Abrams Tank and Bradley Fighting Vehicle in Auburn Hills, MI. John is honored to be back for Les Gourmets 2012.