Culinary students assist Food Network star at Farm Show

By Blake Jackson

Representatives from a college participated in the Pennsylvania Farm Show, the largest indoor agricultural exhibition in the U.S., in early January to highlight the college's hands-on programs. Throughout the week, faculty and support staff engaged visitors in the college's exhibit space in the Main Hall.

The college's baking and culinary program took center stage during the first three days of the event at the Culinary Connection, where chefs demonstrated recipes featuring Pennsylvania’s finest agricultural products. Chef Mike Dinan, the executive chef of the college's restaurant, Le Jeune Chef, along with Chef Mike Ditchfield, a retired instructor, led the demonstrations. They were joined by alumni such as Bridget Callahan, executive chef of a restaurant in Gulph Mills; Alisha Howell, the owner of a bakery in Scranton; and Kristina Wisneski, a chef with a food company in King of Prussia.

Students were actively involved in the demonstrations, prepping ingredients, assisting chefs on stage, and preparing hundreds of sample servings for the audience. One of the notable chefs they assisted was Jet Tila, a Food Network star, cookbook author, and restaurateur. The event not only showcased the college’s culinary expertise but also allowed students to gain real-world experience while promoting Pennsylvania’s agricultural products.

Photo Credit: pennsylvania-farm-show