PCToday

Industry-Sponsored Wedding Cake Competition Invites Viewers

Fri, 10 Feb. 2012 11:24:43 EST

On March 2, the public is invited to view intricately decorated, multitiered cakes created by Penn College’s baking and pastry arts students. “Butterflies” is the theme for the cakes, which will be displayed as part of a contest developed for the students by an industry leader in the world of wedding cakes. Students have spent about eight weeks of class time on their cakes. The students’ cakes will be displayed for the public from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. in the Mountain Laurel Room of the Thompson Professional Development Center at Penn College. A ceremony to announce the winners is scheduled at 1 p.m.

'Murder Mystery Dinner' to Be Served With New Orleans Flair

Thu, 09 Feb. 2012 15:14:37 EST

Tickets are available for this year's Murder Mystery Dinner – "Big Lies in the Big Easy" – set for 6:30 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 18, in the Mountain Laurel Room of Penn College's Thompson Professional Development Center. Prices are $15 for students and $19 for faculty and staff; the event is sponsored by the School of Hospitality's catering class and the Student Activities Office.

Penn College Announces Winners of Annual Food Show

Mon, 23 Jan. 2012 14:40:45 EST

Penn College announced the winners for its annual Food Show, held in December as a showcase for final projects in advanced culinary arts and baking and pastry arts courses at the college. Taking the Chef Eugene Mattucci Best of Show Award was a chocolate house made by Alisha M. Howell, a baking and pastry arts student from Waymart. Her creation depicted an old-time theater decked out for the holidays. Mattucci was chef/owner of Mattucci’s Italian Restaurant in Mount Carmel and was a longtime Penn College advisory committee member and Food Show judge.

Grand Pastry Buffet Provides 'Fabulous' Finale for Imminent Grads

Mon, 05 Dec. 2011 14:25:24 EST

Performing one of their last duties before graduating from the baking and pastry arts major, students in Chef Monica J. Lanczak’s Pastry Food Show and Buffet Presentation Concepts course prepared and served a Grand Pastry Buffet attended by members of Penn College’s 1914 Society on Sunday. Decking out the Mountain Laurel Room for a “Fabulous ’50s” diner theme, the students showcased the skills they have gained throughout their associate-degree pursuit.

Annual Food Show Offers Sweet Season's Greetings

Fri, 02 Dec. 2011 19:10:25 EST

Limited only by their imaginations (and the end of the fall semester), students in Penn College's School of Hospitality once again put on a dazzling display of playfulness and prowess for the latest edition of the annual Food Show in the Thompson Professional Development Center's Mountain Laurel Room on Friday. For more, visit the PCToday photo gallery.

Dec. 2 Food Show Features Chocolate House Auction

Fri, 18 Nov. 2011 12:06:43 EST

Culinary arts and baking and pastry arts students at Penn College will show their final projects – from hors d’oeuvres and ice sculptures to plated desserts and wedding cakes, all artistically presented – during the School of Hospitality’s annual Food Show on Dec. 2. Among the highlights is a display of chocolate houses made by students in the Principles of Chocolate Works course. The houses will be sold in silent auction, funds from which will be donated to Greater Lycoming Habitat for Humanity. A subsequent live auction of student-created holiday treats will add funds to the donation.

Authenticity Essential Ingredient for Visiting Chef

Tue, 08 Nov. 2011 16:58:27 EST

Students in Penn College's School of Hospitality worked alongside Sabrina LaRosa, who traveled from her home and her mother’s cooking school in Calabria, Italy, to teach students the recipes and techniques of authentic southern Italian cuisine. Her visit culminated with a Visiting Chef dinner on Friday, which raised funds for annual scholarship awards.

Students Share Taste of Autumn at Growers Market

Mon, 24 Oct. 2011 18:54:05 EST

Students from Penn College's School of Hospitality celebrated the Williamsport Growers Market "Customer Appreciation Day" in typical hands-on fashion Saturday, carving pumpkins in a pre-Halloween competition and plating a variety of treats for hungry patrons at the downtown venue.

Hospitality Majors Attain Reaccreditation

Mon, 29 Aug. 2011 11:23:46 EST

The three associate-degree majors offered by the School of Hospitality at Penn College have been granted reaccreditation through 2016. The college's baking and pastry arts and culinary arts technology majors were given renewed accreditation by the American Culinary Federation Education Foundation Accrediting Commission; the hospitality management major earned reaccreditation from the Accreditation Commission for Programs in Hospitality Administration.

Le Jeune Menu Again to Feature Homegrown Freshness

Tue, 07 June 2011 15:24:39 EST

Le Jeune Chef Restaurant’s vegetable garden was planted over the weekend with a variety of vegetables and herbs, including beefsteak, Syrian, snowberry, Roma, Tiny Tim, and yellow heirloom tomatoes; Hungarian banana, sweet bell, cherry hot, chocolate habaneras and yellow wax peppers; and basil, purple basil, sage and parsley. The garden also includes hops, which will give students in the Introduction to Ales and Lagers class an agricultural perspective on the beverages and their production. Layne Eggers, assistant dean of the School of Hospitality, who planted the garden, said that, once the plants mature, Le Jeune Chef’s staff will develop menu items to feature products from the garden. “Most of the garden is made up of plants that were donated from the School of Natural Resources Management,” he said. “Special thanks to Brett Reasner, assistant dean.” This is the second year for the restaurant’s garden.

Pellegrino Family Establishes Scholarship at Penn College

Tue, 17 May 2011 10:21:55 EST

A local business leader has established an endowed scholarship fund at Penn College in memory of his father and in honor of his mother. Frank Pellegrino, executive vice president of PRIMUS Technologies Corp., Williamsport, recently made a gift to the Penn College Foundation to establish the John Joseph and Eva Girio Pellegrino Scholarship Fund. Penn College will start making awards from the John Joseph and Eva Girio Pellegrino Scholarship in the 2011-12 academic year. It is anticipated the endowment will generate initial awards of $1,000 annually. The fund will target students from Lycoming County who are enrolled full time in any major in Penn College’s School of Hospitality or School of Business and Computer Technologies.

Mardi Gras Event Adds to Scholarship Fund at Penn College

Wed, 20 April 2011 10:08:59 EST

A contest to select this year’s Mardi Gras King and Queen in Williamsport has resulted in a big boost for a scholarship fund at Penn College. Mike Morgan, a former student, won the contest in March as the nominee for Franco’s Lounge. Owners Maria Daniele and her brother Fred presented a $7,500 check to Penn College, to be added to the Daniele Family Scholarship Fund. The fund will provide awards to students from Lycoming and surrounding counties enrolled in the college's School of Hospitality.

Students Conjure Magical Masterpieces in Potter-Inspired Cake Competition

Fri, 04 March 2011 14:46:50 EST

Their chosen arena is more Hospitality than Hogwarts, but a baker's dozen of Penn College students proved themselves wizards all the same in designing cakes inspired by the Harry Potter books and movies. After being judged in the sixth annual competition Thursday, the colorful creations initially were displayed in the Thompson Professional Development Center, then moved to the Madigan Library as part of the community Harry Potter's World exhibit. Students in the competition, which is sponsored by CalJava International, are enrolled in an advanced cake-decorating course taught by Suzann L. Major, assistant professor of baking and pastry arts/culinary arts. For more, visit the PCToday photo gallery.

Spring-Break Safety, Sanity to Be Stressed at 'Mardi Gras' Event

Thu, 24 Feb. 2011 14:14:08 EST

Penn College once again is getting ready for the annual pre-spring break celebration, a “Mardi Gras Happy Hour” that encourages students to make wise and safe decisions during Spring Break. In a party atmosphere in Penn's Inn from 5-6:30 p.m. Tuesday, March 1, with Mardi Gras as the new theme, information will be provided regarding alcohol, safe sex, highway safety, safe sun exposure and other considerations for students traveling over break – and leaving their classes and inhibitions behind.

Faculty Member Receives Society of Wine Educators Credential

Thu, 10 Feb. 2011 11:52:42 EST

Chef Paul Mach, assistant professor of hospitality management/culinary arts at Penn College, recently earned the Certified Specialist of Wine credential from the Society of Wine Educators. The Society of Wine Educators validates wine knowledge, tasting acumen and teaching ability within its certifications. The Certified Specialist of Wine designation recognizes a high standard of academic wine knowledge and the mastery of key elements within the world of wine and vine, as determined by a team of wine-industry educators.

Students to Compete in Potter-Themed Cake Competition

Thu, 10 Feb. 2011 11:21:30 EST

Penn College students will use Harry Potter as the inspiration for their three-tier cake designs during the college’s sixth-annual cake competition. Following judging, the students’ cakes will be displayed for the public from 1-3 p.m. March 3 and from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. March 4 in the Mountain Laurel Room of the Thompson Professional Development Center. Following the Cake Competition Display, the cakes will be moved to the college’s Madigan Library as part of the citywide “Harry Potter’s World” exhibit.

Open Houses Planned for Le Jeune Chef Grand Reopening

Wed, 26 Jan. 2011 16:44:47 EST

Le Jeune Chef Restaurant will host grand reopening events on Feb. 1-2 to show off its redecorated dining room. The new design reflects the School of Hospitality’s more natural, organic approach to menu planning. In addition to bringing in elements that reflect nature – natural woods, earth tones, stone, water, and botanical prints and textures – one of the design goals was to provide a more calming, streamlined atmosphere, where the food is the central focus, explained Lenore G. Penfield, director of special events and the gallery, who planned the restaurant’s new design. The lights’ arts-and-crafts style is carried into the rest of the room through the chairs, bar, planters and window cornices. Aside from the chairs, all of the restaurant’s extensive woodwork was handcrafted from Pennsylvania walnut by William F. Geyer, assistant professor of building construction technology.

Alumni to Prepare 20th Anniversary Visiting Chef Dinner

Mon, 10 Jan. 2011 15:31:55 EST

Celebrating the 20th anniversary of the Visiting Chef Series, Penn College will host four distinguished alumni of the School of Hospitality during its Feb. 2-4 event. Alumni Dennis Eckrote, chef at Elizabeth’s: An American Bistro in Lewisburg; Andrew Masciangelo, executive chef at Savona in Gulph Mills; Errol Walters, executive chef at the Susquehanna Valley Country Club in Hummels Wharf; and Callie Chalmers, bakery manager for Weis Markets in Danville, will return to campus to work with students and direct production of an elegant benefit dinner, one of the first events to be held in the newly renovated Le Jeune Chef Restaurant.

Students' Final Project Treat for Donors

Fri, 10 Dec. 2010 15:49:23 EST

A Grand Pastry Buffet, the final project for students in the Pastry Food Show and Buffet Presentation class, proved to be a treat for members of Penn College's 1914 Society. The theme for the Dec. 5 event in the Thompson Professional Development Center was “Christmas Around the World.” It featured a wide variety of cakes, pastries and desserts, and sugar and chocolate confectionary centerpieces created by students Amy Barendt, Kristina Dalsey, Brittany DeLousia, Denise Duitch, Danyelle Haywood, Ashley Lombard, Nicole Makinster, Fallon Meeker, Kimberly Mickle, Sarah Owen and Kayla Shultz. The students were under the direction of Chef Monica Lanczak, class instructor; and alumni Chefs Suzann Major, Sugar Arts instructor; and Charles Niedermyer II, who teaches the Principles of Chocolate Works class. Members of the 1914 Society attended the event and were recognized for their generosity; the group comprises alumni and others who support Penn College with annual gifts of $1,000 or more. The afternoon included remarks by college President Davie Jane Gilmour and Adam Yoder, president of the Student Government Association.
Photos by Michael S. Fischer, student photographer

School of Hospitality Announces Food Show Winners

Thu, 09 Dec. 2010 16:44:53 EST

Penn College announced the winners of its annual Food Show, which included a chocolate house auction that raised $1,600 for the Greater Lycoming Habitat for Humanity. The Food Show included about 80 entries from students in seven advanced culinary arts and baking and pastry arts courses, and all seven courses were judged by culinary arts professionals from across the region. The Chef Eugene Mattucci Best of Show Award was given to Tiana J. Soles-Ahner, of State College, for a church she constructed of white chocolate. Ahner is a sophomore in the baking and pastry arts major. Mattucci owned Mattucci’s Italian Restaurant in Mount Carmel and was a longtime Hospitality Majors Advisory Committee member and Food Show judge at Penn College. (For more, visit the PCToday photo gallery.)