Penn College News

Walking in a pastry wonderland

Tuesday, December 10, 2024

Photos by Jennifer Cline, writer/magazine editor

A display by Kendal L. Johnson, of Scranton, includes rosemary and garlic sourdough focaccia, citrus champagne cake – topped with candied orange and lemon slices, and pomegranate macarons, as well as a sugar showpiece. Penn College baking & pastry arts students’ Grand Pastry Display was presented in the Thompson Professional Development Center.

Penn College’s baking & culinary program hosted students from six secondary schools on Friday, showcasing the program’s facilities, unique opportunities (like a culinary tour of Italy and internships at the Kentucky Derby), and baking & pastry arts students’ capstone masterpiece: the Grand Pastry Display.

Following a presentation by students in the Culinary Capstone class that highlighted the varied experiences available in labs and outside of class, the visitors ate lunch in Le Jeune Chef Restaurant – where hospitality students gain hands-on experience; heard from Student Engagement representatives about campus life; toured campus housing and the hospitality labs; and sampled the delectable display by graduating baking & pastry arts students, which encompassed breads, desserts and candies, as well as showpieces made of chocolate and sugar.

Making the trip were West Side Career & Technology Center in Luzerne County; Lancaster County Career & Technology Center; Carbon Career & Technical Institute; SUN Area Technical Institute (covering Snyder, Union and Northumberland counties); Wellsboro Area High School; and Wilkes-Barre Area Career & Technical Center.

Prior to visiting the Grand Pastry Display, graduating culinary arts technology students provide an overview (in the Klump Academic Center Auditorium) of what students can expect in the college’s hospitality program – including photos of dishes they’ve made.
Like the holidays in a glass: dark-chocolate peppermint mousse, among the items offered by Alysa D. Perez, of Turbotville.
Before visitors enter the scene, Kasandria B. Williams, of Cressona, adds desserts to her display.
A whimsical wintry scene, crafted in sugar by Emma E. Delcampo, of West Chester.
Alexandria A. Colon’s garlic plantain focaccia, cocquito cake and dulce de leche bonbons add a tropical flair to the festivity.
Colon, from Philadelphia, answers a visitor's questions.
Mascarpone panna cotta: creamy vanilla custard topped with poached pears and salted caramel. In other words: Yum!
Jeanita J. Pierre, of McConnellsburg, tempts tastebuds with a plum tart and other treats.
Producers of the Grand Pastry Display (from left): Kendal L. Johnson, of Scranton; Kasandria B. Williams, of Cressona; Emily E. Myers, of Catawissa; Alexis N. Durn, of Spring Mills; Amanda E. Pennington, of Wernersville; Alexandria A. Colon, of Philadelphia; Alysa D. Perez, of Turbotville; Jeanita J. Pierre, of McConnellsburg; Emma E. Delcampo, of West Chester; Abigail G. Sollenberger, of Chambersburg; Lily J. Clickner, of Petersburg; Sarah M. Kline, of Montoursville; Felicia D. Donnie, of Shippensburg; and Madisen H. Donlin, of Branchdale.

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