BY STEVEN STIEFEL FOR THE OBSERVER
AUBURN — Ariccia Cucina Italiana, located inside the Hotel at Auburn University & Dixon Conference Center, continued its Thanksgiving tradition by providing meals to local first responders.
“We are feeding our first responders turkey, mashed potatoes, stuffing and all the fixings,” said General Manager Brian Shaner.
The restaurant delivered meal boxes to fire stations and police departments while also welcoming first responders who visited the restaurant on Thanksgiving Day.
The annual tradition is a partnership with the Auburn Chamber of Commerce, according to Todd Scholl, the hotel’s director of sales and marketing.
“The Chamber secures sponsors to help make this happen,” Scholl said. “We’re the hands and feet that create the food and deliver it. We’ve been involved in this for several years.”
Ariccia Cucina Italiana also served first responders on Sept. 11.
“The hotel is very community-driven,” Shaner said. “We’re thrilled to do this. Before COVID, we set up trays at firehouses and served meals. Now, everyone receives an individual meal box, but we’re just as excited to serve our public safety squads.”
The holiday season remains busy for the hotel and conference center. On Dec. 7, the Auburn Hockey Club will host a skating rink opening event next to the hotel, with daily snowfall scheduled at 5 p.m. A Gingerbread Village will also be unveiled for public enjoyment, and New Year’s Eve celebrations are in the works.
“That’s a lot of fun, and the locals just love it,” Scholl said.
Ariccia Cucina Italiana opened in 2001 in partnership with Auburn University and its sister campus in Ariccia, Italy. The restaurant has earned Wine Spectator’s “Best of Award of Excellence” in 2020 and 2021, boasting a 1,500-bottle wine cellar, a bar offering specialty cocktails, and craft beers on tap. Ariccia and Piccolo 241 Jazz & Cocktails are located inside the hotel at 241 South College Street in downtown Auburn.
