College cultivates connections at Farm Show

Wednesday, February 4, 2026

The estimated 500,000 visitors to the 2026 Pennsylvania Farm Show, in Harrisburg, had a chance to learn about Penn College’s life-changing degree offerings, thanks to a cadre of employees who staffed Penn College’s exhibit booth, bringing with them hands-on activities, and two days of tireless work by the baking & culinary program at the PA Preferred Culinary Connection stage.

A few also shared photos with Penn College News.

PA Preferred Culinary Connection Stage

Chef slicing and searing a large cut of meat on a cooking station during a live event.

Chef Mike Dinan, executive chef of Penn College's Le Jeune Chef Restaurant, demonstrates a corned beef and cabbage recipe during the Farm Show's Beef and Veal Day. Photo by Kat Kuo for the PA Preferred Culinary Connection

Chef cooking at a live demonstration, stirring pots on a stove as steam rises in an indoor event hall.

Chef Colby Janowitz, owner of Mycelia Restaurant and a 2017 Penn College culinary arts graduate, demonstrates braised short ribs and savory rice poridge. Photo by Kat Kuo for the PA Preferred Culinary Connection

A student in a chef uniform stirs a large pot of vegetables.

Backstage, Adelaide E. Miller, a baking & pastry arts student from Mill Hall, preps a recipe that will be demonstrated on the Culinary Connection stage. The students prepped and served sample-sized portions for Farm Show visitors. Photo by Chef Amanda L. Farr-Lepper, assistant professor of culinary arts

Two people preparing cuts of meat together at a demonstration counter with ingredients laid out.

Jaylynn F. Lewis Dickson, a baking & pastry arts student from Philadelphia, offers onstage assistance. Photo by Kat Kuo for the PA Preferred Culinary Connection

Close-up of a chef seasoning food in a pot while another person observes.

Chef Michael J. DItchfield, retired Penn College culinary arts instructor, seasons his Keystone Stone Soup. Photo by Kat Kuo for the PA Preferred Culinary Connection

Two students in chef uniforms chop vegetables on cutting boards.

Kera L. Earhart (left), an applied management student from Lebanon, and Lewis Dickson work backstage. Photo by Chef Amanda L. Farr-Lepper, assistant professor of culinary arts

Wide view of a culinary stage with chefs cooking while an audience watches.

Brothers Paul A. (center) and Charlie J. (right) Shimp, culinary arts technology students from Reinholds, provide onstage assistance to Chef Bryan Voltaggio, restaurateur, author, “Top Chef” television series alum and James Beard Award semifinalist. Photo by Kat Kuo for the PA Preferred Culinary Connection

Large group of culinary professionals posing together for a group photo.

The Penn College culinary crew poses with Voltaggio. Photo by Kat Kuo for the PA Preferred Culinary Connection

Chef and assistant preparing small plates with ingredients on a wooden countertop.

Chef Adam Diltz, James Beard Award semifinalist, owner of Elwood Restaurant and 2000 Penn College culinary arts graduate, demonstrates turnip salad. On right is Lybbi A. Switzer, a December culinary arts technology graduate from Berwick. Photo by Kat Kuo for the PA Preferred Culinary Connection

Chefs work ove a large pot on a commercial stove.

Applied management students and 2025 culinary arts technology grads Luke C. Whipple (left), of Shamokin Dam, and Charlie M. Suchanec (also Le Jeune Chef Restaurant’s chef de partie), of Tyrone, provide behind-the-scenes prep. Photo by Chef Amanda L. Farr-Lepper, assistant professor of culinary arts

Group of chefs standing behind a cooking counter during a live competition.

As the School Cooking Challenge begins, the Penn College student teams check the bags of ingredients they’ve been given. The two teams were given 30 minutes to prepare a dish for judges using the Pennsylvania-produced ingredients. Photo by Kat Kuo for the PA Preferred Culinary Connection

Three chefs in aprons discussing food preparation at a competition station.

The team of (from left) Lewis Dickson, Ryanna L. McLean (a 2025 baking & pastry arts grad and current applied management student from Muncy), Shimp and Madison A. Lee (a culinary arts technology student from Montgomery) devises a plan. Photo by Kat Kuo for the PA Preferred Culinary Connection

Chefs preparing vegetables and mixing ingredients at a competition table.

Miller (left), Switzer (center) and Earhart get busy on their team’s dish. Photo by Kat Kuo for the PA Preferred Culinary Connection

A chef with a green apron looks over the shoulder of a student chef, who is standing over a frying pan on a competition stage.

Diltz, who stayed to judge the School Cooking Challenge, checks in with Charlie Shimp. Photo by Chef Amanda L. Farr-Lepper, assistant professor of culinary arts

Chefs plating dishes during a timed cooking challenge on stage.

As the clock winds down, Miller plates her team’s dish for the judges, while Charlie Shimp stirs an accompanying sauce. Photo by Kat Kuo for the PA Preferred Culinary Connection

Chef presenting a plated dish to judges seated around a demonstration area.

Lee presents her team's dish to the judging panel. Photo by Kat Kuo for the PA Preferred Culinary Connection

Team of chefs standing together on stage holding a trophy and ribbon award.

Taking first place is the team of Miller, Switzer, Charlie Shimp and Earhart. Photo by Kat Kuo for the PA Preferred Culinary Connection

Giant Expo Hall

Children using 3D printing pens to trace butterfly designs on plastic sheets at a Pennsylvania Farm Show table; busy indoor hall with a colorful canopy in the background.

At Penn College's booth, children use 3D printing pens to trace patterns, making their own souvenirs. Photo by Becky J. Shaner, alumni and donor relations director.

An adult demonstrates a hands‑on laparoscopic surgery simulator to two participants at a booth, where visitors test surgical instruments and observe a lighted display inside a busy expo hall.

Chuck D. Crews (left), assistant director for secondary partnerships, guides visitors in trying surgical instruments on the physician assistant program's laparoscopic surgery simulator. Photo by Laura M. Machak, coordinator of secondary partnerships

Children use handheld 3D printing pens to trace butterfly designs on paper templates at a booth inside a large exhibition hall, with tractors and vendor displays visible in the background.

The 3D-printing pens, provided by the college's Dr. Welch Workshop, attract activity. Photo by Laura M. Machak, coordinator of secondary partnerships

Close-up of hands guiding a teal 3D printing pen to draw an orange butterfly wing on a template sheet labeled for a 3D kit.

Child holds up a completed blue and purple 3D‑printed butterfly.

Group of people pose with the Penn College Wildcat mascot while displaying a Penn College Alumni sign.

Graduates Summer Froseth ’25 (nursing), Madison Herriman ’25 (nursing) and William J. Gallagher ’24 (business management and construction management) were among Penn College fans to stop by for a photo with a stand-up image of the college’s favorite feline. Photo by Lori A. Boos, alumni and career engagement manager