Westmoreland Educational Foundation’s The Chefs’ Marketplace Attracts Sell-out Crowd and Honors Alumni
November 5, 2018 Youngwood, Pa.“The Chefs’ Table,” held by Westmoreland County Community College’s Educational Foundation, attracted a sell-out crowd for its French countryside-themed fundraising fete Sunday, November 7 at the college in Youngwood.
Students and faculty in the college’s School of Culinary Arts and Hospitality prepared and presented the gourmet hors d’oeuvres and market stations featuring the cuisine of the French countryside to over 140 guests. The various stations included cuisine such as steamed mussels with beurre blanc; pomme frites with duck confit; carved roast beef tenderloin with cognac cream; volauvent with wild mushroom demi glaze; bread and roll assortments with flavored butters and fruit spreads; crepes Suzette, and a variety of other pastries.
The evening also included The Chef’s Marketplace, a student-created foods marketplace featuring special Marketplace Bags and other specialty items for sale. All proceeds from the event support scholarships for Culinary Arts and Hospitality students.
Students and guests had the opportunity to applaud the induction of Westmoreland alumnus Terry Menear into the college’s Culinary Arts and Hospitality Hall of Fame. Menear is the general manager and sommelier at Helen’s Restaurant, Seven Springs Mountain Resort.
Menear graduated from Westmoreland with an associate degree Culinary Arts and later earned a Level One certification with the Court of Master Sommeliers. His previous professional experience included stints as the Executive Chef for Crown America Hotels, Chef Tournot at Nemacolin Woodlands Resort, Opening Sous Chef and Chef de Cuisine at the Ritz Carltons in Las Vegas and Cleveland, Chef Tournot at Bellagio in Las Vegas, Assistant General manager and Sommelier at Tillerman in Las Vegas, and General Manager and Sommelier at Savory Hill in Moon Township. He assumed his current position with Helen’s in 2013.
“At Helen’s Restaurant, we were able to take our wine program to the next level, creating a world-class wine cellar within the natural cellar of our unique and historic restaurant,” Menear said. “After 14 years as a chef, I now have the opportunity to explore exquisite wines from around the world, curate award-winning wine lists and pair them with the fine cuisine offered at Helen’s. What inspires me most is always striving to be the best and delivering an unforgettable experience to our guests.”
Menear’s meticulous work has helped Helen’s Restaurant win its seventh consecutive Award of Excellence for Wine Spectator Magazine in 2018.
Menear was recognized for his accomplishments by Dr. Cindy Komarinski, program director and professor of Culinary Arts/Hospitality Programs, David W. McDonald, president of the Educational Foundation and college President Tuesday Stanley.
“I congratulate Terry on his induction into our Hall of Fame,” said Stanley. “As an outstanding alumnus you give our students an exceptional example of what they can aspire to become.”
Stanley also recognized Nemacolin Woodlands Resort as the event sponsor along with General Carbide, Seven Springs Mountain Resort, West Penn Power, Cannon Design, S & T Bank, Eat ‘n Park Hospitality Group, First Commonwealth, Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield, Innovative Carbide,Intech Solutions, Excela Health, Laurel Highlands Visitors Bureau, Brainfuse, Clarus Corporation, Hudson Group, Mullen Refrigeratio Service, Mrs. Linda Assard and Dr. William and Mrs. Judy Scheeren for their sponsorship.
“I am very thankful to everyone who has supported this wonderful event which over the last 30 years has raised nearly $1.5 million for student scholarships. Your generosity helps us to help our amazing culinary arts and hospitality students,” Stanley said.