JWU to Offer Public Tours of Culinary Arts Museum in Honor of RI 250 Celebration

PRESS RELEASE

PROVIDENCE, R.I. — October 9, 2025 – Johnson & Wales University will open the doors of the Culinary Arts Museum to the public for special tours as part of the Rhode Island 250 commemoration. Tours will be held on October 30 and 31 and will include a tasting element for guests.  

Four tours will be held in total across the two days, two per day starting 10 a.m. and 1 p.m. Visitors will embark on a guided tour of the museum’s fascinating exhibits that showcase the history of culinary arts education, how culture intersects with food, and the trailblazing people who led innovations in the industry. As part of the special event, museum staff has curated a special exhibit, “Recipes for Shared Community: Rhode Island in Action,” inspired by the RI 250 commission’s celebration of historical events centered on freedom, equality, and independence throughout the country’s history. At the conclusion of the tour, guests will receive a sweet treat and house-brewed iced tea.  

“The JWU Culinary Arts Museum is a treasure trove of unique, interesting, and historical pieces that tell the story of food’s role across history,” said Erin Williams, the museum’s curator. “We are so excited to share a piece of that with the public. Our special 250 exhibit brings together pieces from our archives that are culturally significant to the celebration, including community cookbooks showcasing the organizations and people of Rhode Island who made an impact on our cultural history.” 

Tickets to the tours cost $25 per person and must be purchased in advance online. Space is limited and high interest is anticipated. Interested visitors are encouraged to book reservations early. Another set of public tours will be held in May ahead of the July 4, 2026 national semiquincentennial celebration. More details about these tours are forthcoming. 

Learn more about the RI 250 commission.  

About JWU 

Founded in 1914, Johnson & Wales University is a private, nonprofit, accredited institution with more than 8,000 undergraduate and graduate students at its campuses in Providence, Rhode Island and Charlotte, North Carolina, and through JWU Online. An innovative educational leader, the university offers both undergraduate and graduate degree programs in arts and sciences, business and hospitality, dietetics and nutrition, food innovation and technology, and health and wellness. It also offers undergraduate programs in culinary arts and baking and pastry arts. JWU’s unique model provides students with the personalized attention, academic expertise and industry connections that inspire professional success and personal growth. The time students spend at JWU is nothing short of transformative, as demonstrated by career outcomes, expected earnings and economic mobility rankings. The university’s impact is global, with alumni in 130 countries pursuing careers worldwide.

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