For the fifth consecutive year, Wine Spectator magazine has granted its "Best of Award of Excellence" to Pennsylvania College of Technology's Le Jeune Chef Restaurant.
Wine Spectator offers three awards to restaurants based on their wine lists: the "Award of Excellence," the "Best of Award of Excellence" and the "Grand Award." The award winners are listed in the magazine's annual Dining Guide, published in its Aug. 31 issue.
"Le Jeune Chef is one of nine restaurants in Pennsylvania being given this prestigious award worldwide only 608 restaurants said Peter Hellermann, general manager of Le Jeune Chef.
The fine-dining restaurant serves as a training experience for students in Penn College's School of Hospitality.
To win a Wine Spectator award, a restaurant must offer a wine list that includes wines appropriate to its cuisine, while appealing to a wide range of wine lovers. The list also must present complete and accurate wine information.
"Le Jeune Chef's wine list is unique in that it provides our students with an opportunity to work with a world-class list of wines that they would not get elsewhere," said Frederick W. Becker, dean of hospitality at Penn College.
Nearly 2,800 restaurants were given the "Award of Excellence," the magazine's basic award for lists that offer a well-chosen selection of quality producers and show a thematic match to the menu in both price and style. Restaurants whose wine lists receive this award typically offer at least 80 selections. Le Jeune Chef received the "Award of Excellence" each year from 1995-99.
The "Best of Award of Excellence" gives special recognition to those restaurants that exceed the requirements of the "Award of Excellence." These lists display either vintage depth, with vertical offerings of several top producers from major regions, or excellent breadth spread over several wine-growing regions. Lists at this level typically offer 400 or more selections, with superior presentation.
Le Jeune Chef's wine list offers 630 selections, specializing in wines from California and France. It has received the "Best of Award of Excellence" every year since 2000, putting it in the company of such restaurants as Philadelphia's Le Bec-Fin.
The magazine's "Grand Award" was presented to 88 restaurants worldwide. These restaurants typically offer 1,250 selections or more.
Wine Spectator's restaurant awards program recognizes more than 3,300 restaurants worldwide, ranging from high-cuisine palaces, to serious steakhouses, to cozy, well-stocked wine bars, all of which share a dedication to wine.
Le Jeune Chef's formal dining room seats 160, and a private dining roomis availablefor small groups. The restaurant's gourmet menu, created by students, changes daily. For reservations, call (570) 327-4776 or (570) 320-CHEF.
For more information, visit the restaurant's Web site .