READING, Pa. — The Golden Lion at Penn State Berks, the college’s pop-up, fine-dining restaurant, is currently taking reservations for its second annual dinner event, set for 5:30 to 9:30 p.m. on Friday, Nov. 8, in Room 246 of the Gaige Technology and Business Innovation Building.
Seating is limited and reservations are required by calling 610-396-6314, or emailing thegoldenlion.psupopup@gmail.com. Please indicate time, entrée preference and food allergies with your reservation. The event is open to the general public, and the cost is $35.
Students in the college’s hospitality management baccalaureate degree program, under the direct supervision of Michael Schaeffer, executive chef from Dan’s at Green Hills, will present a four-course meal and a night to remember. This year, the students chose a French Thanksgiving theme and built the menu around that theme.
The pop-up restaurant is the result of the capstone course titled Advanced Food Production and Service Management, part of the college’s hospitality management program. The concept was developed by Pauline Milwood, assistant professor of hospitality management at Penn State Berks. She explains that students were tasked with planning, developing and running a pop-up restaurant.
The four-course dinner includes choice of pan-seared local duck breast, filet mignon, or pumpkin ravioli with sage brown butter. The menu also includes a choice of appetizer, turkey sausage rolls with cranberry chutney, or a vegetarian option, and a house salad with figs and apples. Dessert includes choice of peanut butter pie or crème brulee. Dinner will be served with a honey crisp mocktail.
Milwood explained that the students in the course are working in partnership with local chefs, restaurant owners, and décor providers who serve on the college’s Hospitality Management Advisory Board. Three external examiners will provide feedback to the students for their final grade: They include Martie Samuel, co-founder and owner, Farmhouse Kitchen; Chad Schultenover, general manager of the Berkshire Country Club; and William Woolworth, co-owner of Dan’s at Green Hills.
The students in the course are juniors and seniors and all are majoring in hospitality management. They include: Christine Baldwin of Wayne; Devin Bogert, Warriors Mark; Jefry Galeas, Mifflintown; Karisa Gauker, Allentown; Jamie Greenwood, Wyomissing; Gillian McSherry, Lititz; Christina Pyrrhus, Bernville; Elizabeth Reynolds, Catonsville, Maryland; Brett Rushannon, Pottsville; and Ashley Wright, Elverson.
The event was made possible by funding from the Elsa L. and John W. Bowman Curriculum Endowment.
For more information, contact Milwood at 610-396-6314 or pam325@psu.edu.
About the Penn State Berks Hospitality Management Degree Program
The hospitality industry is a major economic driver in the Berks County area, and the hospitality management degree program is offered in response to demand for graduates with degrees in the hospitality industry. Penn State Berks is the only campus outside University Park to offer the degree program with the entrepreneurship option.
The hospitality management degree program helps to prepare students for management positions in hotels, restaurants, resorts and other hospitality organizations. It also provides a sound background for students who plan to pursue graduate studies.
Prior to the program being offered at Penn State Berks, the college had offered an associate degree in hotel, restaurant, and institutional management for nearly 45 years in collaboration with Penn State's School of Hospitality Management. During that time, the college has formed relationships with local hotels and restaurants, providing students with internships and "live" laboratory experiences.