Penn College to premiere ‘Wild Ones’ YouTube series

Taking off on the concept of a popular YouTube talk show, Pennsylvania College of Technology is launching “Wild Ones,” a series of video interviews with members of the campus community. The fun concept: The interviewees try to keep their composure while eating progressively hotter sauce-drenched chicken wings. (Or, in some cases, vegan wings.)

The series launches on Penn College’s YouTube channel (youtube.com/penncollege) on Jan. 22 – national hot sauce day – with additional episodes to be released through the spring.

Capitalizing on the variety of hands-on specialties found on campus, the series showcases the skill of the college’s hospitality and graphic design programs, which developed the sauces and their labels.

The concoctions – from mildest to hottest: Buffalo Blaze (classic Buffalo sauce with a kick), The Jerk (Jamaican jerk seasoning), Angry Samurai (an Asian-inspired hot sauce), Island Ono Habanero (pineapple habanero Hawaiian) and Razz Reaper (raspberry and Carolina reaper) – were developed by chefs Brett M. Bertin and Charlie M. Suchanec, who help to staff the hospitality program’s Le Jeune Chef Restaurant. Bertin is the restaurant’s chef de cuisine, while Suchanec, of Tyrone, is its chef de partie, as well as a culinary arts technology and applied management student.

“Our biggest goal was to make it taste good but still be hot,” Suchanec said, noting that some hot sauces are simply that: hot – without much else in the flavor profile.

Among the peppers the chefs incorporated in their final sauces were bird’s eye chili, Carolina reaper, habanero and serrano. Students and staff in Le Jeune Chef Restaurant served as taste testers.

The chefs were also responsible for the names of the sauces.

“It was a great creative outlet for us,” Bertin said. “Serving classical French and Italian cuisines, we don’t serve a lot of hot wings. We’d love to do it again.”

The labels adorning the bottles were created by graphic design students Jo P. Hess, of Jersey Shore (Razz Reaper); Sarah N. Nugent, of Russell (Island Ono Habanero); Hunter A. Rossman, of Rebersburg (The Jerk); Josh J. Stank, of Williamsport (Buffalo Blaze); and Hannah N. Steppe, of Cogan Station (Angry Samurai).

The design was a mini assignment in a course on branding. Each sauce was assigned to two students, with the Public Relations & Marketing Office making the final selection.

“Students applied art and design skills to the production of their labels and had to problem solve creating a compelling solution on a very small canvas,” said Nicholas L. Stephenson, instructor of graphic design. “While the assignment wasn’t super branding-related, they had to establish a voice for the product which could ultimately be used across several varieties from the same company. A few students did actually make more versions of their labels as a means of expanding on their initial designs.”

The concept for the “Wild Ones” series was developed by Rob Hinkal, Penn College’s social media specialist.

“We were lucky to be able to bring together a number of different departments and individuals on this project,” Hinkal said. “From culinary to graphic design, everyone both in front of and behind the camera truly gave us 100% of their efforts.”

In addition to Hinkal, the series producer, other staff contributors included Christopher J. Leigh, video producer (director); Braxton A. Shope, assistant video producer (camera, editing and graphics); and Amanda S. Whitesel, manager audio/visual services, and audio/visual specialists Kevin M. Mix and Randall K. Curry (A/V and lighting assistance).

“We’re fortunate to have such enthusiastic partners in our faculty and students,” said Carlos Ramos, director of strategic marketing. “The creative team did an exceptional job showcasing their talents in this unique take on a cultural icon.”

For information about Penn College, a national leader in applied technology education, email the Admissions Office or call toll-free 800-367-9222.