At a glance
Alfred State College (ASC) is using the upcoming inauguration of Dr. Steven Mauro as an opportunity to celebrate the college and the entire WNY region including the great food that is found here. The reception following ASC inauguration ceremonies on October 20 is titled “A Taste of Western New York.”
Alfred State College (ASC) is using the upcoming inauguration of Dr. Steven Mauro as an opportunity to celebrate the college and the entire WNY region including the great food that is found here. The reception following ASC inauguration ceremonies on October 20 is titled “A Taste of Western New York.”
“Alfred State was founded as a school of agriculture and we’re eager to showcase the fantastic food coming from local farmers,” said Jonna Anne, executive director of Auxiliary Campus Enterprises and Services (ACES) at ASC. “One of the joys for our whole campus community is the wealth of high-quality food produced in the area. Combine that with the talents of our culinary arts faculty and students and it just makes my mouth water. I cannot wait to see how students are going to take some traditional WNY favorites and add a creative twist.”
While Alfred State is not divulging details of the menu in advance, some of those surprises are sure to delight the tastebuds. Students have been challenged to survey all the local favorites. Western New York is well known for beef on weck, Buffalo’s famous wings, Rochester’s garbage plate, festival favorite spiedies, sponge candy, and chicken riggies, just to name a few. Alfred State’s student chefs will unveil their own favorites and how they transformed it into a new taste sensation at the inaugural reception.
“It always amazes me what our Culinary Arts students and faculty are creating,” said School of Applied Technology Dean Jeff Stevens. “They are working everyday to hone their skills and we are lucky to taste the results each day on the Wellsville campus. They also run The Refinery Restaurant so that members of the community get a taste. Plus, I am never disappointed when I visit the bakery counter and see what they have made. It is not only good for a sweet tooth, but it is also eye candy with their beautiful designs.”
Alfred State’s agricultural roots are still strong as the college operates an 800-acre farm with an organic dairy herd. ASC has won Dairy of Distinction honors and is home of the Center for Organic and Sustainable Agriculture. Another tasty detail of Alfred State’s legacy is one of the college’s well-known alumni, Brian Perry, executive vice president, chairman, and co-owner of Perry’s Ice Cream is also a second-generation Pioneer.