Students' Pursuit of Passion Evident in Sparkling Hospitality Events

– Photos by Jennifer A. Cline, writer/editor-One College Avenue

Darren J. Layre, of Hatboro, prepares IPA braised lamb, parsnip and turnip pierogis from his “Taste the Season: Spring” menu (developed and prepared with event partner Patrick J. Kelly, of Muncy).

A blue-ribbon restaurant dessert: deconstructed apple-walnut tart with maple custard, presented by Marissa R. Dimoff, of Mount Union.

A cake by Dylan H. Therrien, of Reading, receives honorable mention.

A cake by Daryan M. Ficks, of New Columbia, receives third-place honors.

Judges award “Best of Show” honors to Breanna N. Abbey, of Carlisle, for a Marine Corps graduation cake.

A graduation cake for young bookworms earns second place for Sarah A. Brunski, of Mount Holly Springs.

Students in the Cakes and Decorations course skillfully fill a table with graduation-themed cakes.

Brianna R. Helmick, of Hershey, and Rachel A. Mertz, of Paxinos, stand ready to offer insight into their dishes: smoked duck with red beet mashed potatoes, and light-chocolate red beet sponge cake.

Outdoor lovers all: event partners Victoria L. Zablocky, of Jersey Shore; Elizabeth M. Ball, of Phoenixville; and Brianna E. Bucklin, of Whitehall; serve up a fishing-and-camping themed menu.

Bradley M. Moriarty, of Clarence, and Jenna E. Haas, of Lancaster, dish samples of “speakeasy roasted clams with fettuccini” from their Roaring Twenties: Bonnie and Clyde-themed display.

Alexander R. Campolongo, of State College, adds samples of chocolate sponge cake to the table of “The Bean Grinders,” staffed by Campolongo and Kyle H. Abel, of Nazareth.

A tantalizing display of advanced bread-shaping by students in the Advanced Patisserie Operations class beckons carb lovers.

A bite-sized sample of fried trout stuffed with smoked-trout mousse.

Light-chocolate red beet sponge cake topped with red beet crisps.

Ashley R. Post, of Orwigsburg, explains to judge Christopher R. Grove, a Penn College dining services manager, why she and Zachary A. Mausteller, of Danville, chose a German menu.

A chocolate sculpture by Jenna Zaremba, of Pottsville, garners first place.

A chocolate centerpiece by Marissa R. Dimoff, of Mount Union, receives honorable mention.

Jessica N. Felton’s chocolate windmill and garden earn second place from judges. Felton is from State College.

A floral sculpture by Dylan H. Therrien, of Reading, takes third place.

An edible centerpiece recreates one of the icons of the Paris Hotel in Las Vegas.

Vegas’ iconic neon signs inspire a sugar centerpiece by Marci L. Cohen, of Clarks Summit.

Bite-sized petit-fours play out the fun theme.

Another “sign” of the Paris Hotel: A translucent sugar Eiffel Tower.

An attractive line-up of desserts awaits scholarship donors and recipients.

A headdress worthy of a Vegas stage, by Shayna L. Zerby, of Lock Haven.

More Vegas icons, presented in edible fashion by Alivia L. Bollock, of Gaines.

One of two impressive cakes – a whole-class project – graces the buffet table.

It wouldn’t be Vegas without a chapel and an Elvis impersonator.

Macaroons masquerade as a beefy treat from a famous Vegas restaurant.

Feathers and masks adorn an intricate sugar centerpiece by Rachel C. Cooper, of Bangor.

The 17 students responsible for the bounty of sweet treats and beautiful tablescapes.

Pat Kaczmarek, of the Duboistown Garden Club, takes a photo with Samuel G. Bubb, a landscape/horticulture technology: landscape emphasis major from Williamsport, who received the club’s scholarship for 2014-15.

A bounty awaits.

Chips and dice, artifacts of Las Vegas most-renowned pastime, by Autumn E. MacInnis, of Trout Run.

More Las Vegas neon by Marci L. Cohen, of Clarks Summit.

Tray upon tray of intricately presented desserts awaits the Sunday afternoon crowd.

David T. Chavey, an automotive technology student from Hershey and the recipient of the Zachary C. Teter Memorial Automotive Scholarship, speaks with donor Brian Murray.

President Davie Jane Gilmour introduces student representative Julie H. Carr (right), recipient of the Student Leader Legacy Scholarship.