Scholarship Dinner to Pay Tribute to Retiring Le Jeune Chef Manager

Pennsylvania College of Technology's School of Hospitality will host "A Farewell Tribute to Peter Hellermann," longtime general manager of the school's Le Jeune Chef Restaurant, on Sept. 10.

Frederick Frank, president of the award-winning Dr. Konstantin Frank Vinifera Wine Cellars, will be the guest vintner in a fitting tribute to Hellermann as he retires. Students, faculty and the restaurant's professional staff will join forces to prepare a dinner honoring the vast industry knowledge and gracious hospitality that Hellermann has shared with the restaurant, the campus and the community for the past 10 years.

In honor of Hellermann's service to the college, proceeds from the dinner will be used to award annual scholarships in his name to School of Hospitality students.

Hellermann grew up in the hospitality industry, first working in his family's Hotel Hellermann in Bigge, Germany. His career has spanned five decades and two continents. He has worked in some of the finest hotels and restaurants in Germany, Switzerland, France, England and the United States.

Before joining the Penn College staff in January 1998, Hellermann spent 30 years in Denver, where he managed country club restaurants and owned and operated two continental restaurants. When he retires at the end of September, he and his wife, Kathy, will return to Colorado where they will enjoy the company of their family and travel the world.

Frederick Frank has been the president of Dr. Konstantin Frank Vinifera Wine Cellars in Hammondsport, N.Y., since 1993. The winery was started by his grandfather, Dr. Konstantin Frank, in 1962. The winery was named "Winery of the Year" in 2006 by the New York Wine Classic Competition. In 2007, the winery has received more than 30 gold medals in national and international wine competitions.

Frank graduated from Cornell University School of Agriculture in 1979. He then worked for Banfi Vintners as a state sales manager for several years. In 1982, he attended the Geisenheim School of Enology and Viticulture in Germany. He returned to Banfi Vintners in 1983 as a managing director of their Old Brookeville Vineyards. In 1993, he returned to Dr. Frank's Winery to manage operations into its third generation and is now enjoying training his son, Konstantin, who hopes to continue the winery into its fourth generation of operation. This year marks the 45th anniversary of Dr. Konstantin Frank Wine Cellars.

The Farewell Tribute is scheduled at 6 p.m. in Le Jeune Chef Restaurant. Tickets for the scholarship benefit are $125 per person. To reserve seats, call the Special Events Office at Penn College at (570) 320-5229.

Those who cannot attend the event but would like to make a gift in honor of Hellermann to support School of Hospitality students may do so by mail to the Penn College Special Events Office, One College Avenue, Williamsport, PA, 17701-5799 or online.

The courses and accompanying wines for the "Farewell Tribute" menu are:

Appetizer

Braised quail breast with fennel, pancetta and a seasonal fruit garnish

Dr. Konstantin Frank Rkatsiteli, 2006

Soup

Roasted tomato soup, chilled with smoked corn custard

Dr. Konstantin Frank Riesling semi-dry, 2006

Salad

Pheasant ballotine with pineapple

Dr. Konstantin Frank Gewürztraminer, 2006

Entrée

Escalope of veal with sweetbreads, fennel, exotic mushrooms, cabbage and spaetzle

Dr. Konstantin Frank Fleur de Pinot Noir, NV

Dessert

Apple strudel with caramel ice cream and vanilla cinnamon sauce

Chateau Frank Célèbre Rosé Sparkling