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Foundation’s Annual Chef Auction Raises Over $40,000 For Student Scholarships

For the third year in a row, the Pennsylvania Highlands Community College Foundation hosted a successful Chef Auction at the Frank J. Pasquerilla Conference Center, raising over $40,000 to support local students pursuing higher education.

Since the Foundation took over hosting the Chef Auction in 2023, the event has raised a total of more than $150,000.

All proceeds will benefit both the Supporting Scholars Fund and future culinary arts scholarships at Pennsylvania Highlands Community College. The Supporting Scholars Fund comprises three distinct scholarships awarded annually to multiple recipients: the Destination Graduation, Emerging Leader, and Presidential Scholarships.

Thirteen culinary students, as well as Chef and Culinary instructor John Dusack, prepared food for the opening reception. In addition, Supporting Scholars Gina Pettenati and Syd Scott assisted in preparation and staffing of the event.

“We are grateful to all those who helped make this event possible,” stated Carole VanMeter, Director of the Foundation. “The Chef Auction has not only been a great fundraiser for the College, but it has also enabled our culinary students to showcase the skills and experiences they acquired in the classroom, which they can apply in the workforce.”

Eight restaurants participated in providing dinner for more than 150 attendees, with some also supplying packages for the live auction. These participants included Balance Restaurant, Big Spring Spirits, Conemaugh Medical Center, Harrigan’s Cafe & Wine Deck, Omni Bedford Springs, Seven Springs Mountain Resort, Tulunes In The City, and Viva Verde.

The event consisted of 20 silent auction items and eight live auction packages to bid on. Five luxury vacations were awarded in a separate auction, and a 50/50 drawing was held. Overall, more than $25,000 was raised, which was paired with a $15,000 donation from the 1889 Foundation to achieve the grand total.

HHS was the Top Chef sponsor for the event, while UPMC Altoona and Worklink Staffing served as Master Chef sponsors. Four of this year’s participating restaurants have already committed to attending next year’s Chef Auction.

The Pennsylvania Highlands Community College Foundation actively pursues financial support for Pennsylvania Highlands Community College and its students. It achieves this by cultivating relationships, raising funds, and expertly managing resources.

About Pennsylvania Highlands Community College Foundation (www.pennhighlands.edu/foundation)
Established in 1995, the Pennsylvania Highlands Community College Foundation is a non-profit educational trust under Section 501(c)(3). The Foundation seeks and secures financial support to advance the mission of Pennsylvania Highlands Community College by fostering relationships and managing resources. It focuses on providing scholarships, supporting academic programs, and promoting faculty and staff development to meet the College’s and community’s educational needs. Through donations, events, grants, and deferred giving, the Foundation enriches student opportunities and strengthens community partnerships.