Hospitality and Retail Management Student Crafts Alice in Wonderland Dinner Series at Skyviews

Naomi Snider works diligently to create one-of-a-kind dinner experience

Restaurant, Hotel, and Institutional Management (RHIM) major Naomi Snider worked for months to create her Alice in Wonderland themed Dinner Series, 'It's a Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad Meal.' The Lubbock native set out with her dinner series partner, Ashley Abreu, to bring wonderland to life through creatively crafted cuisine.

When asked why she chose RHIM as her major, Naomi said she originally was planning on being a business major.

"A close friend and Interior Design professor at the time, Dr. Margaret Dobbs, suggested I look into the College of Human Sciences. I love being a RHIM major is because it focuses on the people and how you can impact others in a meaningful way."

Naomi says one of the main reasons she loves the College of Human Sciences (COHS) is because of how much COHS professors care about seeing students succeed. Naomi says her professors have given her a tremendous amount of support and encouragement during her studies.

Dr. Charlie Adams describes Naomi as a highly capable student.

"Naomi is one of the finest students I have had the pleasure of meeting in my classes. She has a brilliant mind and is self-directed and organized. The Millennial generation is well represented by Naomi with her high level of emotional intelligence and capability to succeed. There is no limit to where her future may take her."

When Naomi began working towards her senior capstone project, the Alice in Wonderland Dinner Series idea was born.

"I adored reading Alice's Adventures in Wonderland and Through the Looking Glass. I loved how eating was such a large concept in it. I've always been fascinated with the whimsy and uniqueness that encases Alice in Wonderland and I'm excited to bring this idea to life."

Naomi's academic advisor Donna Burt details her relationship with Naomi.

"While at Texas Tech, Naomi has excelled in her academic studies and currently has a 4.0 GPA. Naomi had a desire to study in the field of hospitality, in particular in food.  From the first time I met her, she has been excited, energetic and focused on her studies.  She is mindful of what it takes to be successful both in and out of the classroom."

Naomi says she wanted to stress the whimsical aspect of the theme through Alice in Wonderland by selecting dishes like the Tipsy Tea Cup Soup and the Jabberwocky Platter. Naomi also created large flower pieces to give guests the feeling of walking through Wonderland.

Naomi successfully hosted her dinner series on Feb. 21 and 22 at Skyviews. Guests left the carefully crafted world of Wonderland full and sparked with imagination.