School of Hospitality Food-Show Winners Announced

The annual Food Show presented by the School of Hospitality at Pennsylvania College of Technology yielded awards for students in four of the school's advanced courses, whose final projects were judged by seasoned chefs from the surrounding area.

The students' creations were displayed for high-school students who visited campus recently to tour the School of Hospitality and learn about the College's Culinary Arts and Baking and Pastry Arts programs.

Judges awarded first, second, third and honorable-mention prizes to students in the Advanced Garde Manger course, who prepared hors d'oeuvre displays; the Classical and Specialty Desserts Presentation course, who produced plated desserts; the Cakes and Decorations course, who made wedding cakes; and the Principles of Chocolate Works course, who created chocolate houses that were auctioned to raise money for Habitat for Humanity.

The Best of Show award was given for the first time in honor of Chef Eugene Mattucci, a longtime supporter of the school, serving on its advisory board for over 20 years. Ashley N. Lloyd, Watsontown, earned the award for her chocolate caraibe torte with chocolate sauce.

Award winners for each course are: Advanced Garde Manger First place: Paul J. Lemoncelli, Clarks Summit; second place: Ryan M. Smithson, Purcellville, Va., and Ashley L. Snook, Julian; and third place: Rachel S. Hall, Altoona.

Classical and Specialty Desserts First place: Lloyd; second place: Alicia M. Shaull, Windsor; third place: Melissa A. Sletner, Warwick, N.Y.; honorable mentions: Nathan A. Cartmell, Temple; Tacy L. De Green, Bloomsburg; and Kira C. McGee, Elizabethtown.

Cakes and Decorations First place: Ann C. Kelly, Muncy; second place: Kimberly A. Donahey, Bellefonte; third place: Hall.

Classical Cuisines of the World First place: Paul W. Scheetz, Lansdale; second place, tie: Matthew A. McKean, South Williamsport, and Julian D. Schramp, New Columbia.

Principles of Chocolate Works first place: Carrie L. Helminiak, Williamsport; second place: Marissa L. Seeders, Shippensburg; third place: Sletner.

Judges for the event were Barry Edmonds, retired Holiday Inn executive banquet chef, of Williamsport; Phil Gajda, chef/owner of the Victorian Lady, Lewisburg; Elizabeth Long-Furia, chef/owner of Elizabeth's, An American Bistro, Lewisburg; and Mattucci, chef/owner of Mattucci's, Mount Carmel.

For more information about the academic programs offered by the School of Hospitality at Penn College, call (570) 327-4505, send e-mail or visit on the Web .