Greene County students prepare for holiday buffet with Trump hotel chef
Katie Anderson/Observer-Reporter
Students roll strawberry truffles at the Greene County Career and Technology Center during the 2016 annual Christmas Buffet.
Katie Anderson/Observer-Reporter
Dan Wagner, the culinary arts adviser at Greene County Career and Technology Center, teaches a student how to carve turkey during the school’s annual Christmas Buffet last year.
WAYNESBURG – A holiday tradition of its own, the Greene County Career and Technology Center’s 28th annual Christmas Buffet on Friday will have the help of Trump International Hotel’s executive chef.
The lunch is something community members look forward to all year.
“It started out small and it’s grown into a community event,” said Dan Wagner, the culinary arts advisor at GCCTC. “You see a lot of rekindling of friends that haven’t seen each other throughout the year.”
Students get a chance to showcase their cooking talents alongside guest chefs. This year, Wagner is hosting executive chef Oliver Beckert from Trump International Hotel in Washington, D.C., on Thursday and Friday.
“I mean, Oliver Beckert is phenomenal. This guy is the real deal in the industry,” Wagner said. “It’s an honor to have him take the time out of his busy schedule.”
The guest chefs bring with them their skill and expertise, and also specialty dishes. The buffet collaboration comes after the students’ invitation to assist at Trump Hotel in Washington during President Trump’s inauguration and again in Virginia during the PGA Tour event there.
Wagner said it’s great working with Beckert because he’s a motivated and energetic person.
Jeff Cecil with Sullivan University will also be on hand to assist students, along with graduates from Wagner’s program.
Up to 400 people each year stop by for carved turkey and ham, as well as offerings this year like butternut squash bisque, jambalaya, grits, chicken and other main courses and hors d’oeuvres.
“There will be something for everyone,” Wagner said, noting there will be a plethora of options. “The kids are so excited.”
Each of his 32 students participates in the event. Planning begins about two months out with establishing the menu. Two weeks in advance they begin decorating. A week before, they start to bake and clean. Monday before the buffet, the real production preparation starts.
Wagner said this year’s event brings together elements of A Christmas Carol: past graduates helping current students, present chefs sharing their knowledge and future chefs preparing to enter the industry.
The event isn’t exclusive to Greene County residents. People come from Washington and Allegheny counties to partake in the buffet, he said. Five dining rooms will be set up, and students in the emergency protective services program will be assisting with parking.
Wagner encourages those interested in coming to “eat light for breakfast and come with an appetite.”
Lunch is served from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Tickets are $12 at the door.