UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — WPSU Penn State will celebrate the silver anniversary of its Connoisseur’s Dinner and Auction on Saturday, Feb. 4, with the return of one of its favorite chefs.
Award-winning chef John Folse, who previously shared his signature Cajun cuisine with the Centre region in 1999 and 2008, will prepare “A Taste of Louisiana” for the 25th annual WPSU Penn State’s Connoisseur’s Dinner and Auction. The fundraising event supports the programming and operations of WPSU-TV.
“Nothing excites me more than to bring our ‘Taste of Louisiana’ to new and old friends alike,” said Folse, who also hosts two PBS cooking programs. “Pennsylvania has always been a great audience for my TV series, and I thought it would be a great time to reintroduce my cuisine and culture after having produced two new series and cookbooks since my last visit.”
The four-course dinner will include:
Soup: Truffle mushroom bisque (wild forest mushrooms cooked in a rich stock and cream, drizzled with white truffle oil)
Salad: Heirloom beet salad (duo of roasted red and golden beets on seasonal greens, tiny pear tomatoes and goat cheese, tossed in cane syrup vinaigrette)
Entrée: Braised osso buco (braised veal shank on sauce marchand de vin, accompanied by Creole tomato grits and steamed asparagus)
Dessert: Orange ricotta cheesecake (served with crème anglaise, raspberry coulis and fresh berries)
“My goal to introduce diners to one of the most unique and flavorful cuisines of the world — a cuisine that makes New Orleans and south Louisiana two of the most sought after destinations in the world for cuisine and culture,” said Folse.
Folse, who opened his first restaurant in 1978, has received numerous accolades during his career. He was named the American Culinary Federation’s National Chef of the Year in 1990 and later served as the organization’s president. Folse has also been honored by the Louisiana state legislature and governor, and he currently serves as the marketing specialist and chairman of the Louisiana Seafood Promotion and Marketing Board.
Visit the WPSU Penn State Connoisseur’s Dinner and Auction website or contact Tamra Fatemi at 814-863-6635 to secure a reservation. Tickets for the cocktail reception, dinner and auction cost $205 per person.