Penn College Students Selected to Cook at Kentucky Derby
Published 04.17.2015
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Thirty-eight Pennsylvania College of Technology students have been selected to cook for thousands at the 141st running of the Kentucky Derby on May 2.
Known as “the most exciting two minutes in sports,” the tradition-steeped Kentucky Derby attracts more than 150,000 guests, including its fair share of celebrities.
At Churchill Downs, students will spend a week helping to mix, chop and cook thousands of pounds of ingredients that they’ll serve to guests in suites and luxury boxes throughout the facility, including The Mansion, a lavish, invitation-only venue.
Students are also assigned to the main kitchen, Jockey Club Suites, Turf Club Lounge, Finish Line Suites and the Plaza Balcony. In addition to cooking for the main event, several students will prepare food for “Dawn at the Downs,” a popular Louisville tradition that gives visitors an opportunity to enjoy breakfast in Millionaires Row while watching the Kentucky Derby and Kentucky Oaks contenders conduct morning workouts.
“Every year is a new, challenging experience in food production and organization,” said Chef Paul Mach, assistant professor of hospitality management/culinary arts, who will accompany Penn College students to the Kentucky Derby for the 25th time this year. “One bunch of asparagus for dinner becomes 3,000 pounds for 8,500 guests on Derby Day. How you maintain your focus on quality, composure in the sight of a mountain of asparagus, and smile while thinking of the guests enjoying the finished dish, is the rewarding outcome of this for our students.”
Representatives of Levy Restaurants, which provides food service at Churchill Downs and other sports and entertainment venues throughout the country, visited campus in February to interview student applicants.
In addition to Mach, the students will be accompanied by Chef Charles R. Niedermyer, instructor of baking and pastry arts/culinary arts.
“The Derby experience in many ways culminates the theory and practice students receive at Penn College,” Niedermyer said. “We are fortunate to have had Chef Paul champion the event for 25 years.”
Students working at the Derby and their majors are:
Baking and pastry arts (associate degree)
Marci L. Cohen, of Clarks Summit; Shannon E. Croney, of Lake Ariel; Kirsten E. Foti, of Landing, New Jersey; Katlyn J. Hackling, of Lake Hiawatha, New Jersey; Brittany L. Mink, of Allentown; Rebecca L. Rizzo, of Palmyra; and Dylan H. Therrien, of Reading.
Culinary arts and systems (bachelor’s degree)
Magdalen C. Bennett, of Erie; Arden F. Campbell, of Lebanon; Amy M. Decker, of Halifax; Jessica N. Felton, of State College; Sarah B. Fiedler, of Lock Haven; Wyatt F. Fink, of Cogan Station; Jaclyn C. Gregg, of Warriors Mark; Jenna E. Haas, of Lancaster; Cy C. Heller, of Milton; Brianna R. Helmick, of Hershey; Daniel A. Horst, of Harrisonburg, Virginia; Patrick J. Kelly II, of Muncy; Rebecca L. Klinger, of Cogan Station; Darren J. Layre, of Hatboro; Alissa R. Martz, of Danville; Lyndsay E. Maynard, of Fleetwood; Rachel A. Mertz, of Paxinos; Alyssa J. Morales, of Williamsport; Stephanie C. Myers, of Catawissa; Ashley R. Post, of Orwigsburg; Kendra J. Riggle, of Montoursville; Kassandra S. Sellinger, of Linden; and Dallas A. Tyree, of Stillwater.
Culinary arts technology (associate degree)
Kathryn R. Knause, of Catawissa, and Katelynn M. Watson, of Milton.
Hospitality management (associate degree)
Andrea K. Irvine, of Towanda; Emily K. Lutz, of Wading River, New York; and Seth A. Ruch, of Linden.
Technology management (bachelor’s degree)
Elizabeth M. Hiller, of Honesdale; Victoria L. Kostecki, of Center Valley; and Danica C. Mazzotta, of Tyrone.
To learn more about hospitality-related majors at Pennsylvania College of Technology, call 570-327-4505.
For more about Penn College, visit Penn College, email the Admissions Office or call toll-free 800-367-9222.
Known as “the most exciting two minutes in sports,” the tradition-steeped Kentucky Derby attracts more than 150,000 guests, including its fair share of celebrities.
At Churchill Downs, students will spend a week helping to mix, chop and cook thousands of pounds of ingredients that they’ll serve to guests in suites and luxury boxes throughout the facility, including The Mansion, a lavish, invitation-only venue.
Students are also assigned to the main kitchen, Jockey Club Suites, Turf Club Lounge, Finish Line Suites and the Plaza Balcony. In addition to cooking for the main event, several students will prepare food for “Dawn at the Downs,” a popular Louisville tradition that gives visitors an opportunity to enjoy breakfast in Millionaires Row while watching the Kentucky Derby and Kentucky Oaks contenders conduct morning workouts.
“Every year is a new, challenging experience in food production and organization,” said Chef Paul Mach, assistant professor of hospitality management/culinary arts, who will accompany Penn College students to the Kentucky Derby for the 25th time this year. “One bunch of asparagus for dinner becomes 3,000 pounds for 8,500 guests on Derby Day. How you maintain your focus on quality, composure in the sight of a mountain of asparagus, and smile while thinking of the guests enjoying the finished dish, is the rewarding outcome of this for our students.”Representatives of Levy Restaurants, which provides food service at Churchill Downs and other sports and entertainment venues throughout the country, visited campus in February to interview student applicants.
In addition to Mach, the students will be accompanied by Chef Charles R. Niedermyer, instructor of baking and pastry arts/culinary arts.
“The Derby experience in many ways culminates the theory and practice students receive at Penn College,” Niedermyer said. “We are fortunate to have had Chef Paul champion the event for 25 years.”
Students working at the Derby and their majors are:
Baking and pastry arts (associate degree)
Marci L. Cohen, of Clarks Summit; Shannon E. Croney, of Lake Ariel; Kirsten E. Foti, of Landing, New Jersey; Katlyn J. Hackling, of Lake Hiawatha, New Jersey; Brittany L. Mink, of Allentown; Rebecca L. Rizzo, of Palmyra; and Dylan H. Therrien, of Reading.
Culinary arts and systems (bachelor’s degree)
Magdalen C. Bennett, of Erie; Arden F. Campbell, of Lebanon; Amy M. Decker, of Halifax; Jessica N. Felton, of State College; Sarah B. Fiedler, of Lock Haven; Wyatt F. Fink, of Cogan Station; Jaclyn C. Gregg, of Warriors Mark; Jenna E. Haas, of Lancaster; Cy C. Heller, of Milton; Brianna R. Helmick, of Hershey; Daniel A. Horst, of Harrisonburg, Virginia; Patrick J. Kelly II, of Muncy; Rebecca L. Klinger, of Cogan Station; Darren J. Layre, of Hatboro; Alissa R. Martz, of Danville; Lyndsay E. Maynard, of Fleetwood; Rachel A. Mertz, of Paxinos; Alyssa J. Morales, of Williamsport; Stephanie C. Myers, of Catawissa; Ashley R. Post, of Orwigsburg; Kendra J. Riggle, of Montoursville; Kassandra S. Sellinger, of Linden; and Dallas A. Tyree, of Stillwater.
Culinary arts technology (associate degree)
Kathryn R. Knause, of Catawissa, and Katelynn M. Watson, of Milton.
Hospitality management (associate degree)
Andrea K. Irvine, of Towanda; Emily K. Lutz, of Wading River, New York; and Seth A. Ruch, of Linden.
Technology management (bachelor’s degree)
Elizabeth M. Hiller, of Honesdale; Victoria L. Kostecki, of Center Valley; and Danica C. Mazzotta, of Tyrone.
To learn more about hospitality-related majors at Pennsylvania College of Technology, call 570-327-4505.
For more about Penn College, visit Penn College, email the Admissions Office or call toll-free 800-367-9222.