Arts and Entertainment

How to help support WPSU public media and enjoy authentic Italian cuisine

WPSU Connoisseur’s Dinner and Auction to be held Feb. 8 and supports the programming and operations of WPSU-TV

Tuscan chef Alessandro Manfredini Credit: Photo providedAll Rights Reserved.

UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — Community members can help support central Pennsylvania’s public media station and enjoy authentic Italian cuisine at the same during the WPSU Connoisseur’s Dinner and Auction on Saturday, Feb. 8.

Chef Alessandro Manfredini, who serves as head chef at the Renaissance Tuscany il Ciocco Resort and Spa in the Barga region of Tuscany, Italy, will present a taste of Tuscany for the 28th annual event. The funds raised during the dinner and auction support the programming and operations of WPSU-TV.

“I believe that good foods put everything right,” said Manfredini, who likes to incorporate fresh, local ingredients into his cuisine. “You need a few things to make a good menu. I hope the guests like the menu, and it’s a pleasant evening for everyone.”

The evening’s full menu is available and reservations are being accepted at the event website.

Public media supporters will have the opportunity to bid on several silent and live auction items, including five nights for two at the Renaissance Tuscany il Ciocco Resort and Spa, and a cooking class with Manfredini.

“I like to observe the amazement of people when they manage to create different meals with just a few ingredients, like when they are able to make fresh pasta like a tagliatelle with flour and eggs,” he said.

The other confirmed live auction items are:

  • An Italian feast for 10 created in the winning bidder’s home by DelGrosso's chef John McCracken
  • Seven days and nights at the "Lazy River Lodge" on the Susquehanna River in Morrisdale
  • "Dinner with the Champions" with members of Penn State football’s 1982 and 1986 national championship teams on Saturday, July 18, at the Tavern Restaurant in State College. Team members include Bill Contz, Greg Garrity, John Gurski and Nick Haden from the 1982 team and Massimo Manca and Trey Bauer from the 1986 team.

There also will be approximately 130 items for bid during the silent auction reception. Last year, the event raised approximately $40,000 for WPSU-TV.

WPSU-TV serves 24 counties in central Pennsylvania and reaches 515,000 households, and WPSU-FM is accessible to more than 450,000 listeners in 13 counties. The public media station also includes WPSU Digital Studios, which offers original web series that explore science, arts and culture. WPSU is an outreach service of Penn State.

Visit the WPSU website to learn more about central Pennsylvania’s public media station.

Last Updated January 14, 2020

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