Greek Food Tasting Workshop for Penn State University students at Metropolitan College Downtown Campus

A group of Hospitality students from Pennsylvania State University had a unique cultural experience in Greece visiting landmarks and tasting gastronomy!

Metropolitan College is proud to have once again welcomed Hospitality Management students from Pennsylvania State University, for their annual visit to Athens. This year, 18 students and 2 faculty members had the privilege of spending an entire week in Athens and its surrounding areas, engaging in a variety of activities that showcased the best of Greek culture and hospitality.

The itinerary was packed with exciting experiences, including wine tastings, museum visits, and cultural walking tours. The group also had the opportunity to explore the grandeur of famous Greek archaeological sites. Throughout their stay, they were treated to the renowned Greek hospitality, experiencing firsthand the warmth and generosity of the locals.

Guided by the Operations of the VET by EHL Program mr Alexandros Dardoufas, the students also had the opportunity to do an extensive inspection of the newly opened 5* Athens Capital Hotel – MGallery Collection, compare work experiences and discuss the differences between city hotels & resorts.

The highlight of their trip was undoubtedly the 2-day cooking workshop held at the facilities of Metropolitan College, in Athens. Led by the chef, Mr. Michael Zacharis, students from various years of the Hospitality Management programme of study, were able to immerse themselves in the famous Greek cuisine, learning how to prepare a full course meal with traditional Greek elements.

Overall, the visit was a huge success and an excellent opportunity for the students to expand their horizons, both culturally and professionally. Metropolitan College is honored to have been a part of this unforgettable experience and looks forward to continuing the tradition in the future.

Matthew Stover, Penn State University Student

This spring break, me and 17 other students had the esteemed pleasure to be welcomed back to the Metropolitan College of Athens cooking lab. It was an amazing experience to try authentic cultural foods. Being able to experience preparing the salad and get information about the origins of the Greek food bridged the gap between learning and experiencing. This experience is something that I will, definately, take into my global career as a Hospitality professional. On behalf of all of us here at Penn State, I would like to thank you all for the experience and hope that we will be invited back next year.

Kimberly Cooper, Penn State University Faculty

Over spring break, we had the wonderful opportunity to participate in a Greek Foods Workshop at Metropolitan College in Athens, Greece. This was an absolutely amazing experience for myself and our students as we learned to make some delicious Greek dishes. The chef included the students in the cooking process, having them make the menu themselves. In addition to the hands-on experience, being able to taste all the amazing dishes the chef prepared, added to the experience. We were able to try foods that we may not have tried on our own, having to step out of our food comfort zone, opened up our palates to the wonderful flavors of Greek cuisine.

A few words about Penn State School of Hospitality Management:

The Penn State School of Hospitality Management began in 1937 and is one of the oldest in the country. As a research institution, it offers undergraduate and graduate degrees and is recognized as a top program in graduate education. The School of Hospitality Management has expanded its international opportunities in recent years and now offers a variety of international experiences that range from one week to a full semester abroad. The International Studies and Students Program have been honored in 2018 with the Outstanding Program Award by Penn State University.