Hospitality Students to Cook With Farm-Fresh Produce at Outdoor Growers Market

Using the freshest, locally grown produce, students in catering classes in the School of Hospitality at Pennsylvania College of Technology will present a cooking demonstration Saturday, Sept. 9, at the Williamsport Outdoor Growers Market in the Pine Street United Methodist Church parking lot.

The menu for the cooking event, which will run from 9 a.m. to noon, features roasted tomato gazpacho, vichyssoise, vegetable strudel, sorbets (sweet and savory), pasta verano, bruschetta, chicken and a few surprises.

Michael J. Ditchfield, instructor of food and hospitality management/culinary arts at Penn College, teaches the catering class and coordinates the event with Anne Nordell of Beech Grove Farm in Cogan House Township, who promises "a really festive event."

Ditchfield said he likes to use the freshest local ingredients in his work, and he passes on that principle to his students. This will be the third year that the catering class at Penn College has presented cooking demonstrations at the growers market.

Students participating in this year's event include Bradley J. Fair of Lebanon, Culinary Arts Technology (associate's); Amanda L. Farr of Benton, Baking and Pastry Arts; Frank W. Kamine of Dallas, Culinary Arts Technology (bachelor's); Elisha M. Kleinfelter of Hummelstown, Culinary Arts Technology (bachelor's); Matthew Mabry of Williamsport, Culinary Arts Technology (associate's); Jennifer A. Patterson of York, Culinary Arts Technology (associate's); Patrick D. Reilly of Gettysburg, Culinary Arts Technology (associate's); Michael P. Reyes of State College, Food and Hospitality Management; Jeremy T. Sanders of Lebanon, Culinary Arts Technology (associate's); Keith R. Sanders of Lebanon, Culinary Arts Technology (associate's); Bryan K. Seymour of Troy, Culinary Arts Technology (associate's); and Megan E. Trice of Williamsport, Food and Hospitality Management.

The growers operate the market at the church parking lot from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. each Saturday, mid-June through the end of October. The growers also sell their produce from 11:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Fridays at Bowman Field.