Annual Christmas buffet to be held Dec. 8
WAYNESBURG – Several students in the culinary program at the Greene County Career and Technology Center, along with their indefatigable instructor, Dan Wagner, had the great opportunity last January to work along side Oliver Beckert, executive chef at Trump International Hotel, as part of Donald Trump’s presidential inaugural activities.
Now Beckert, an award-winning professional with 27 years of culinary experience in French, Italian, Hawaiian, German and North American cuisine, will have an equally great opportunity Dec. 8 to work along side with the students as they prepare and serve what has become one of the best meals for the money in the area.
The annual Christmas Buffet is in its 28th year and will be held from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at the GCCTC. Cost per person is $12.
“I have to believe Beckert and his staff were impressed with our students and the work they did at the hotel,” Wagner said, “because when I contacted Beckert about coming here for the buffet he had said he would check and get back to me. He said he was cleared to come and he will be here on Thursday (Dec. 7) and work the buffet the next day.”
Beckert is a world traveler with extensive work experience on four continents, including opening four successful hotels and fourteen restaurants. He is known among colleagues and managers for focus on commitment to providing quality customer service, guest satisfaction and leading with confidence and hands on approach.
Beckert has been the executive chef at Trump International Hotel since March 2016.
Wagner said Beckert plans to prepare a few of his dishes for the buffet, including kale and Brussel sprout salad with roasted grapes, spiced pecans, blue cheese and honey apple cider vinaigrette; butternut squash bisque, braised boneless short ribs with parsnip puree and roasted Arctic char with cauliflower puree.
In addition to some of the “high-end” culinary dishes, Wagner said his students will be preparing jambalaya, international pastas, three carving stations of turkey and brisket and carved baked ham with a citrus brown sugar glaze, 14 different salads and an assorted dessert bar.
Another guest chef, Jeff Cecil of Sullivan University in Louisville, Ky., is returning to the kitchen. Cecil’s credentials include serving as chef for country music stars Kenny Chesney and George Strait.
“It’s an honor to have Beckert and Chef Cecil give up their time during this busy holiday season to share their knowledge and skills with students of our program,” Wagner said.
Gabriel Morio Vasquez, a junior at Waynesburg Central High School, said, “The excitement of working with Oliver Beckert, a chef of this caliber, is beyond explanation for me.”
Wagner said when the buffet began many years ago, “we had only two buffets and one dining room. I think we may have served 60 people. Today we have five dining rooms and an endless buffet and we serve more than 350.”
The Emergency Protective Service program at the GCCTC will assist in directing all guests to proper parking, and entertainment will be provided by the Waynesburg Central High School chorus and band.
“This is a great opportunity for the students of the Greene County culinary department to showcase their talents, and this is a fantastic community event where old friends can come together and enjoy the start of a holiday season over great food and music,” Wagner said.
Wagner thanked the administration and staff members for helping to make this event such a success and said the Christmas buffet is not just an event for Greene County.
“Everyone is welcome,” he said.