'You're the Chef' Hosts to Help Crosscutters Salute TV on July 6

The Williamsport Crosscutters have teamed with Pennsylvania College of Technology to add some local flavor to their "Salute to TV Night" scheduled for Tuesday, July 6, at historic Bowman Field.

The cast and crew of "You're the Chef," the College's award-winning and Emmy-nominated national public television cooking series, will be at the ballpark distributing prizes including a trip to the show's set to watch a taping as the Crosscutters battle the Batavia Muckdogs.

"We are very pleased to include Penn College and 'You're the Chef' with this fun promotion sponsored by Wegmans," said Gabe Sinicropi, director of marketing and public relations for the Crosscutters. "I don't think many Minor League teams have a national television series produced in their own back yard. Adding 'You're the Chef' to the lineup is a great bonus. Plus, it's an appropriate tie-in with Wegmans, since the Williamsport store provides all the food for the series."

A joint production between WVIA-TV and Penn College, "You're the Chef" features family-friendly, practical recipes made with readily available ingredients from the heartland of Pennsylvania. Since going national in 2001, the series has aired in nearly half the country, including all five of the nation's top markets, and internationally in Canada and Japan.

"You're the Chef" is hosted by Chef Paul Mach, an assistant professor from the College's School of Hospitality, and Tom (?I?m not a chef?) Speicher, the College's broadcast productions coordinator. The series also features the expertise of School of Hospitality students Rachel S. Hall of Altoona, Jennifer R. McHenry of Lock Haven and Christine L. Faherty of Wantage, N.J. Mark A. Blanchard of Watsontown, a Graphic Communications major, serves "You're the Chef" behind the scenes as a marketing assistant.

The "You're the Chef" students will distribute shopping-list magnets to the first 500 fans on July 6, while Mach and Speicher will be available before the game to sign autographs. Throughout the evening, several "You're the Chef" prizes will be awarded via lucky numbers in game programs, including autographed aprons, a commemorative plate, a $25 gift certificate to the College's Le Jeune Chef Restaurant and a visit to the "You're the Chef" set on July 15 to watch a show taping.

The series currently is in production for its seventh public television season, which will premiere in late October on WVIA and other PBS stations throughout the country.

In addition to the "You're the Chef" treats on July 6, the first 1,000 baseball fans will receive a free video rental, courtesy of Wegmans. Television theme music will be featured throughout the game along with other great "Salute to TV" fun.

The Bowman Field gates open at 6 p.m. The first pitch will be at 7:05 p.m. For tickets, call (570) 326-3389.