WYOMISSING, Pa. — Penn State Berks hospitality management students showcased their talent while serving the community — and won third place for their watermelon soup recipe — during Opportunity House’s 23rd annual Souper Bowl, held on Feb. 3 in the college’s Beaver Athletics and Wellness Center.
Opportunity House is a 24-hour multi-service facility that helps improve the quality of life for men, women and children who are in need in the Greater Berks area. During their annual Souper Bowl fundraising event, the community is invited to sample soups from approximately 30 local restaurants, markets, country clubs and other food vendors. There is also a competition for the best recipe. Approximately 500 community members attended this year’s event.
The vendors showcase their soups in pottery that is made by students from 13 local schools. The pottery is then auctioned off and all the proceeds go to Opportunity House. This year Opportunity House raised $86,000.
The Penn State Berks hospitality management students were enrolled in the college’s food production and operations management class (HM330). Under the supervision of Chef Joe Ertel, managing chef in the Penn State Berks Housing and Food Services Office and instructor in the hospitality management program, students created a dish that took a refreshing take on a summer classic with their watermelon soup, served chilled.
"We are very happy with how HM330 represented the hospitality management program here at Penn State Berks. This is a great cohort, and I see great futures for each of them," stated Ertel.
Ian Pummer, a sophomore pursuing a hospitality management degree, accepted the award.
"This was an important event for our class, as we wanted to highlight the hospitality management program here at Penn State Berks. Winning the award meant a lot to us, as it shows us that as a class, we were able to deliver on that goal.” said Pummer.
The hospitality management students that were part of this event include Andria Lynn Addis, Trace Brown, Rocco Giannangeli, Jessica Grace Herr, Lauren Hoffman, Eliana Maria Nieves, Ian Pummer, Jacob Meily Richard, and Matthew Ryan Sellers.
For more information, contact Ertel at JAE210@psu.edu.