Culinary Students to Cook at Outdoor Growers Market
Published 08.23.2001
A group of nine students from the School of Hospitality at Pennsylvania College of Technology will use farm-fresh produce to conduct informal cooking demonstrations when they visit the Williamsport Outdoor Growers Market on Saturday, Sept. 8.
The demonstrations will take place from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at the market, located in the parking lot adjacent to Pine Street United Methodist Church, 441 Pine St., Williamsport.
This is the fourth year that the students, mostly Culinary Arts Technology majors, will show off their cooking talents at the market.
Michael J. Ditchfield, an instructor of food and hospitality management/culinary arts at Penn College, supervises the students.
"What I am trying to achieve here, is to introduce the students to the freshest possible products available," Ditchfield said. "I would like to see them continue to work closely with these smaller, sustainable growers and producers after they graduate, wherever they happen to locate."
Ditchfield praised the growers, saying they are "as passionate, excited and committed to quality food as I would like our chefs to be."
"This interaction between chefs and farmers is not a new idea, but four years ago, it was new to the area," he added. "The idea is spreading to other markets, like the one in Mifflinburg. It's a great event for the students, and there is such a great spirit of community."
Students participating in the event this year are: Kevin M. Baier, Lock Haven , Culinary Arts Technology; Sarah M. Fetterolf, Ashland, Culinary Arts Technology; Erica Fuhrman, Annville, Culinary Arts Technology; Joshua T. Hoffman, State College, Culinary Arts Technology; Gretchen A. Lubin, Williamsport, Culinary Arts Technology; Craig P. Marshall, Etters, Culinary Arts Technology; Gerald R. Peffer, Blossburg, Culinary Arts Technology ; Brent E. Robertson, Williamsport, Culinary Arts Technology; and Megan D. Solymos, York, Food and Hospitality Management.
The vendors of the Williamsport Outdoor Growers Market sell their produce and other food items each Saturday, mid-June through the end of October, at the Pine Street location. They also operate their stands each Friday afternoon at Bowman Field during the period.