News about Business & Hospitality

From the Spring 2022 edition of Penn College Magazine: Through his work for Habitat for Humanity, Todd J. Fox, ’98, business management, helps affiliates across the country to increase access to decent, affordable housing. Read the story.

The first cohort of culinary arts students completing a three-semester associate degree at Pennsylvania College of Technology recently put their skills to the test as each developed a full dinner menu – and served as chef de cuisine – in the college’s Le Jeune Chef Restaurant.

“I wanted the focus of this class to be preparing for what they’re going to do when they leave here, as opposed to what they’ve already done here,” said Chef Christopher R. Grove, executive chef of Le Jeune Chef and instructor of the Culinary Capstone course.

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In an effort to preserve at least one tradition in a year that has been anything but normal, Le Jeune Chef staff and students are preparing a free Thanksgiving feast for the dozens of students who have opted to stay on campus during the holiday break or are isolating.

While some of the prep work was completed Wednesday, the small crew will return to campus from 8 a.m.-2 p.m. Friday to complete and individually package the traditional, handmade Thanksgiving dinners.

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From the Spring 2020 Penn College Magazine: Rob Wood, ’17, is executive chef for the restaurant of a literal rock star. But it’s his clients who inspire him. Read “Making a difference with every dish.”

Join Penn College Chef Troy A. Breger and George C. Gerba II, a culinary arts technology major from Williamsport, as they whip up a serving of Bananas Foster. Study the pros at work. This delectable treat is perfectly sautéed. Expertly flambéed. And paired with vanilla ice cream and a hint of mint. What’s not to love?

A memorial service will be scheduled for Irwin H. Siegel, 2005 recipient of Penn College’s Master Teacher Award and a retired professor of business administration/business law, who died Sunday, April 12, at age 66. Siegel, a faculty member from 1998 through the 2007-08 academic year, also was honored with an Excellence in Teaching Award in 2001. He received a doctorate in adult education from Penn State University, a master of laws degree from Widener University School of Law, a law degree from Dickinson School of Law and a bachelor’s degree in English from Lebanon Valley College. Prior to joining the faculty, he was engaged in general law practice and as in-house counsel for financial institutions. A full obituary has been published in several newspapers, including The (Harrisburg) Patriot-News and his hometown Lebanon Daily News.

Chef Charles R. Niedermyer II, instructor of baking and pastry arts/culinary arts, was interviewed for the cover story in the March/April issue of Bake magazine. A two-time Penn College alumnus and a faculty member since 2005, Niedermyer was among the professionals assessing what the future holds for desserts and pastries. As patrons become increasingly discerning, he said in “Flavor Inspirations,” retail bakers need to adjust. “The key is knowing your customers, the products and services that are most important to them, and staying true to your niche,” said Niedermyer, recognized by the publication in November 2018 as one of the nation’s top 25 industry leaders. “We can’t be all things, to all customers, that walk in our doors.” The article is provided here: Bake magazine

WNEP’s Chris Keating spoke remotely Tuesday with Spyke M. Krepshaw, assistant professor of web and interactive media, about the faculty member’s recent offer of website assistance to businesses engaged in e-commerce during the coronavirus crisis.

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Pennsylvania College of Technology students, guided by a quick-thinking faculty mentor in partnership with the Williamsport/Lycoming Chamber of Commerce, are providing a true community service: facilitating online ordering pages for businesses still permitted to operate during the coronavirus pandemic.

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It’s rich. It’s creamy. It’s Le Jeune Chef Restaurant’s signature Chocolate Soup. If you’ve visited the casual fine dining restaurant on Penn College’s main campus, you’ve probably tasted this craveable masterpiece. Join Chef Chris Grove and Claudia Walling, a baking and pastry arts student from Williamsport, to learn how easy it is to bring home this crowd favorite.

(EDITOR’S NOTE: The Spring 2020 Visiting Chef Dinner was ultimately canceled due to COVID-19 concerns.)

Set for April 3, Pennsylvania College of Technology’s annual Visiting Chef dinner will feature Chef Fabrizio Facchini, who has gained acclaim in both Italy and the United States.

A brand ambassador for Urbani Truffles and a champion for “slow food,” Facchini’s most recent venture is the highly anticipated opening this spring of Cotto, the restaurant inside the Renaissance New York Chelsea Hotel in Manhattan’s Flower District.

During his three-day stay on campus, Facchini will speak in Penn College hospitality classes and work alongside students to prepare the menu he has developed for an elegant reception and four-course benefit dinner that will culminate his stay. Proceeds from the dinner are used to fund scholarships in the college’s baking and pastry arts and culinary arts majors.

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After advancing to the “Grand Finale” of a five-episode “Chopped” championship, Chef Kristina Wisneski, ’13, was eliminated in the finale’s second round, which aired Tuesday on Food Network.

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The 2020 edition of the Student Engagement Office’s Murder Mystery Dinner is scheduled for Leap Day – Saturday, Feb. 29 – in the Mountain Laurel Room of Penn College’s Thompson Professional Development Center. Tickets for students ($16.95; flex or declining balance) and for faculty and staff ($19.95) are available online. For more information, consult the event poster: Murder Mystery Dinner

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Pennsylvania College of Technology students and instructors will again add their talents to the offerings at a popular fundraiser designed to help feed the hungry in our community.

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2013 Penn College culinary arts and systems graduate Kristina Wisneski was the last chef standing in a championship episode of Food Network’s “Chopped” competition show.

The episode, “$50,000 Champs Challenge: Part 3,” premiered Tuesday and pitted Wisneski, who also won an episode that first aired in February 2019, against three other champions. After successfully wowing a panel of judges with her quick creations that used mandatory mystery ingredients, she advances to “$50,000 Champs Challenge: Grand Finale,” set to premiere on Tuesday, Feb. 18, at 9 p.m.

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