close

CTC to present annual Holiday Buffet Dec. 11

By Dave Zuchowski, For The Greene County Messenger 4 min read

WAYNESBURG — When Dan Wagner first took the job of culinary instructor at the Greene County Career and Technology Center in Waynesburg 26 years ago, he came up with the idea of staging a holiday buffet.

What started small with two buffet tables has grown each year to become a Greene County Christmas holiday tradition.

“The students kept adding more and more each year, and the buffet has grown progressively better as well as bigger,” Wagner said.

This year’s buffet, scheduled from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Friday, Dec. 11, has the theme “Taste of America” and will feature classic dishes from New England, Texas, Kentucky and New Orleans. Patrons will find everything on the all-you-can-eat buffet table from a traditional New England clam chowder and clam bake (corn on the cob, potatoes and clams cooked together in a large pot), to smoked beef brisket, Southern fried chicken and Jambalaya.

When the counting is done, the buffet will feature over 18 salads and more than 15 entrees, along with four carving table (one each for brisket of beef, stuffed pork loin, ham and turkey) plus vegetables, starch dishes and assorted desserts. Wagner also plans to reprise the popular Bananas Foster bar where students will serve sautéed bananas and caramel sauce over vanilla ice cream.

“One of our goals this year is to get people through the buffet line as quickly as possible so they won’t have to stand in line and wait,” Wagner said.

To expedite matters, the number of dining rooms has been increased to three with seating for up to 300 people at any given time. Patrons will be able to go down the buffet line and sample as many of the foods as they’d like.

Returning again this year from Kentucky is guest chef Jeff Cecil, whose impressive credentials include serving as chef for country music stars Kenny Chesney and George Strait.

Wagner first met Cecil years ago while sitting on the board of Sullivan University in Louisville, and the respected chef will add his famous grits as well as other specialties to the buffet table.

To entertain the crowd, the chorus and band from Waynesburg Central High School will sing and play appropriate music.

The cost of the buffet is $12 or $8 for children under the age of 12. Tickets will be sold at the door, and no reservations are needed, although large groups of 8 or more should phone ahead at 724-627-3106. Parking is free and plentiful.

“The beauty of the buffet is that it’s become a community event where people can meet friends they might not have seen for a while,” Wagner said. “Some patrons come from as far away as Washington and Pittsburgh. Last year, we had someone drive up from Lexington, Kentucky to visit friends and enjoy the buffet.”

Each year, Wagner designs the menu with the center’s seniors and has his students prepare the food using only the best of ingredients.

“Our students put a lot of time into the project to show off their accomplishments and skills,” he said.

“Preparations start early in the week, and some students come in as early as six in the morning the day of the buffet to get things ready.”

Each year, Wagner plans for enough food to feed 350 to 400 patrons, but, by the end of the day, when the culinary students and chorus and band members make their way through the line, that figure soars close to 450.

“We couldn’t do this without then support of our administration, especially that of director Karen Pflough,” Wagner said.

This year, the Center will raffle off several items in the lobby, including a Christmas tree made of horseshoes designed by the students in the welding class.

“If you haven’t ever been to our buffet, you’re missing something great,” Wagner said.

“It’s the biggest buffet in the county.”

Melody Longstreth, executive director of the Waynesburg Chamber of Commerce, has attended the holiday buffet multiple times. She said she likes to bring along her staff and treat them to the buffet as a Christmas gift.

“The buffet is simply wonderful, and we always look forward to it,” she said.

“The desserts are to die for, and the buffet is a real bargain for the money it costs. After we leave, we’re ready for a nap when we get back to the office.”

To Longstreth, the buffet is also a social event that gives her a chance to meet people from the community and is also a good way “to support the students who take pride in putting out such a great meal.”

“I certainly hope the Center continues the buffet into the future,” she said. “It’s become quite the tradition in our office.”

CUSTOMER LOGIN

If you have an account and are registered for online access, sign in with your email address and password below.

NEW CUSTOMERS/UNREGISTERED ACCOUNTS

Never been a subscriber and want to subscribe, click the Subscribe button below.

Starting at $4.79/week.

Subscribe Today