More than 230 guests, about 10 percent more than last year's event, were entertained by guest chef Mary Ann Esposito, host of the PBS series "Ciao Italia," at Penn State Public Broadcasting's annual fundraiser, the 13th Annual WPSX-TV Connoisseur's Dinner and Auction held Saturday, Jan. 29, at The Nittany Lion Inn on Penn State's University Park campus. The auction raised $28,000 for WPSX-TV. For pictures from the event, go to http://live.psu.edu/still_life/2005_01_31_wpsx/index.html
"WPSX-TV expresses sincere thanks to all those who attended the 13th Annual Connoisseur's Dinner and Auction at The Nittany Lion Inn this past weekend and appreciates the extra support demonstrated by those who bid on the auction items," said General Manager Ted Krichels. "We also thank members of the volunteer auction committee who donated their time, and the many businesses and individuals in the region who donated items for the auction."
The evening began with a silent auction and reception with items which included a guitar signed by country music star Kenny Chesney, donated by Robert M. Sides Family Music Center; furniture; art work; jewelry; antiques and more.
Following the silent auction guests were seated and began five-course meal selected by Esposito featuring her recipes for Tuscan food. The menu included yellow pepper soup; potato gnocchi with pecorino cream sauce; roast pork da Ventura style with roasted red potatoes, asparagus spears and julienne carrots; an orange fennel salad and zuccotto cake for dessert. The menu was prepared by the culinary staff of The Nittany Lion Inn.
Highlights of the live auction during the dinner included an electric guitar signed by blues legend B.B. King; two tickets to a hit New York musical with hotel and train transportation; access to a vacation home in Martha's Vineyard; and two necklaces donated by Moyer Jewelers of State College. Ron Gilligan Jr. entertained the crowd as auctioneer.
Esposito's nationally broadcast PBS show "Ciao Italia" has aired on more than 270 public television stations since its debut in 1989. Esposito reaches more than 1.4 million viewers each week with her authentic, regional recipes that are easy to make. Her latest series, "Ciao Italia in Emilia Romagna," airs at 1:30 p.m. Saturdays on WPSX-TV.
Penn State Public Broadcasting services include broadcast programming and educational outreach as well as multimedia production and educational video sales through its units WPSX-TV, WPSU-FM, Media Solutions, Media Sales and Educational Services.