Pennsylvania College of Technology's School of Hospitality will host "An Evening of Pennsylvania Food, Beer and Wine" on Nov. 14, offering opportunities to learn more about the pairing of fine beer and wine with food and to benefit the Peter Hellermann Scholarship Fund.
Scheduled at 6:30 p.m. in the college's Le Jeune Chef Restaurant, the evening also provides a valuable learning experience for students in the School of Hospitality. The Catering class, taught by Chef Michael J. Ditchfield, instructor of hospitality management and culinary arts, planned the menu using exceptional food products from regional growers. The class will staff the kitchen on Nov. 14.
In addition, students in the Principles of Bakeshop Production class, taught by Chef Sue Major, assistant professor of baking and pastry arts and culinary arts, will prepare the evening's dessert.
The six-course meal will showcase not only Pennsylvania food producers, but also Pennsylvania-made beverages from Troegs Brewing Co. in Hershey and Chaddsford Winery in Chadds Ford. Each course will include a brief explanation of the food and beverage pairings by Chef Paul E. Mach, assistant professor of hospitality management and culinary arts.
"This is the first time we've offered a tasting event with both wine and beer to help folks compare and contrast the pairing of food with beer and wine," said Fred Becker, dean of hospitality at Penn College. "Pairing food with wine is common, but pairing food with beer is not as common, although there are lots of opportunities to pair beer with food."
Net proceeds from this event will be permanently restricted and invested to generate income used for scholarship awards from the Peter Hellermann Scholarship Fund.
Hellermann, who retired after nearly 10 years as general manager of the college's Le Jeune Chef Restaurant in 2007, had a hospitality career that spanned 50 years and two continents. The scholarship benefits full-time students in the School of Hospitality.
Tickets for "An Evening of Pennsylvania Food, Beer and Wine" are $75 per person.
To register for the dinner, call the Special Events Office at 320-5229 or email specialevents @pct.edu.
