Continuing a 30-year partnership, 23 students in Pennsylvania College of Technology’s business & hospitality division are set to staff the kitchens of Churchill Downs during the upcoming Kentucky Derby.
The iconic horse race, described by Forbes as one of the “Greatest Bucket-List Sporting Events,” draws a crowd of 150,000-plus. Its 149th running will take place May 6.
Penn College students have been joining the Kentucky Derby hospitality crew since 1993. Working alongside chefs from around the nation, they gain experience in high-end, high-volume service, not only for Derby Day, but for the week of events leading up to it.
Pennsylvania College of Technology student Cynthia Setzer, who earned a Penn College degree in baking and pastry arts in 2018 and applied management in 2020, carves meat for a buffet in Churchill Downs’ Turf Club during the 2018 Kentucky Derby. Continuing a 30-year partnership, Penn College students will return to Churchill Downs’ kitchens for the 2023 Kentucky Derby.
They will help prepare food in premium dining rooms at the Downs – those venues that host celebrities and other VIP guests – and staff the Main Kitchen, where they transform literal tons of ingredients into the dishes that will be part of visitors’ lifelong Derby memories.
“The Kentucky Derby is described as ‘the most exciting two minutes in sports,’ but for Penn College students, it’s the most exciting week of immersive learning the culinary world has to offer!” said Chef Charles R. Niedermyer, instructor of baking and pastry arts and culinary arts at the college. “The Derby partnership provides our students with real-world practice at a scale unachievable in lab. Students benefit from Levy Restaurants’ outstanding leadership, state-of-the-art facilities and menus on point with national trends. We are Penn College proud to be a part of this long-standing tradition of excellence.”
Students were selected for paid Derby Week internships during on-campus interviews with staff from Levy Restaurants at Churchill Downs.
Students will be accompanied by Niedermyer and Chef Mike S. Dinan, sous chef for Le Jeune Chef Restaurant, a live-learning lab for the college’s baking and culinary students.
The Kentucky Derby is described as ‘the most exciting two minutes in sports,’ but for Penn College students, it’s the most exciting week of immersive learning the culinary world has to offer!
Chef Charles R. Niedermyer
Instructor of baking and pastry arts and culinary arts
Penn College students slated to complete Kentucky Derby internships, listed by major:
Applied management
Kade N. Chrostowski, of Moorestown, N.J., and Kayla M. Wilson, of Williamsport (both are also majoring in culinary arts technology)
Baking & pastry arts
M.J. Harbron, of Pottstown; Sofie E. Howard, of South Williamsport; Hope G. Lomarro, of Exton; Autumn B. Stanley, of Lincoln University; Jalen J.L. Stunkard, of New Fairfield, Conn.; and Luke C. Whipple, of Shamokin Dam
Business administration
Kylee P. Albert, of Boyertown
Business management
Melyce E. Kenyon, of Granville Summit (holds a 2017 degree in culinary arts technology), and Anna R. Lundin, of Kersey
Culinary applications
Alicia M. Walters, of Osceola
Culinary arts technology
Noah W. Beck, of Port Matilda; Jordan S. Brouse, of Northumberland; Daniel S. Gray, of Millheim; Kyle F. Group, of Gettysburg; Kelsyn M. Hart, of Linden; Kylie R. Landon, of Canton; Maggy R. Langendoerfer, of Waymart; Jared D. Schwenk, of New Ringgold; Maddi H. Smith, of York; and Gunner T. Vuocolo, of Lock Haven
Professional baking
Carter P. Gordon, of Lancaster
To learn more about Penn College’s baking, pastry and culinary arts majors, call 570-327-4505.
For information about the college, a national leader in applied technology education, email the Admissions Office or call toll-free 800-367-9222.
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