Governor Presents First Pennsylvania Culinary Arts Award at Gettysburg Festival

GETTYSBURG, Pa., June 20 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Governor Edward G. Rendell
tonight presented the inaugural Pennsylvania Governor's Award for the Culinary
Arts to Andrew Little, executive chef at Sheppard Mansion in Hanover, York
County. The award recognizes a chef for his or her outstanding abilities as a
performing artist.

"Chef Little has done a remarkable job creating an exciting, contemporary
cuisine while working with local farmers," said Governor Rendell said. "His
creative leadership is important to advancing the culinary experiences
available in Pennsylvania."

As executive chef at Sheppard Mansion the past two years, Little has built an
extensive network of local farmers to champion using quality local produce.

"Pennsylvania has a huge history as an agricultural state, and now we're
really seeing amazing artisan foods created here," Little said. "I hope this
brings the spotlight to Pennsylvania because you can't beat our great natural
resources."

The Governor's Award for the Culinary Arts was conceived and instituted by The
Pennsylvania Culinary Society, an association of chefs, inn keepers, farmers,
food producers and food lovers working together to develop a distinctive
Pennsylvania food style based on the state's agricultural bounty and rooted in
its rich food heritage.

The award was presented by Governor Rendell as part of the inaugural
Gettysburg Festival -- Celebrating America, featuring 60 performances and
events in Gettysburg through June 29.

"The Gettysburg Festival will bring world-class performing artist to central
Pennsylvania to celebrate America's unique contributions to music, theater,
film, art and dance," Governor Rendell said. "The festival provides an
opportunity for Pennsylvanians and those visiting Gettysburg to experience our
nation's finest performing artists."

Performances throughout the 10-day festival include:

-- Brass: The Gramercy Brass Orchestra of New York, the Philadelphia
German
Brass Band, and The United States Army Brass Quintet
-- Jazz: The Brubeck Brother's Quartet, The United States Army Jazz
Ambassadors and Laura Hull and Rio Clemente
-- Dance: The Suzanne Farrell Ballet performing several well-known works
of
Balanchine, Stravinsky and Rogers
-- Theater: Kander & Ebb's And The World Goes 'Round
-- Art: An exhibit of works by the late Larry Rivers, a sculpture walk
including works by Michael Rosch and Bill King, and an exhibit of
original Broadway show posters.

Festival venues are located throughout downtown Gettysburg, including the
Majestic Theater, the Historic Gettysburg Railroad Station, Lincoln Square and
Gettysburg College. Many of the events are free and open to the public; others
require tickets which are available through The Majestic Theater Box Office at
HYPERLINK "http://www.gettysburgmajestic.org/" www.gettysburgmajestic.org or
by calling (717) 337-8200.

The Gettysburg Festival was conceived by Gettysburg native Karl Held, who has
worked with the Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts, Carnegie Hall, Leonard
Bernstein and Stephen Sondheim. He is also the former producer of the Boston
Symphony Orchestra and The Boston Pops at Tanglewood.

For more information regarding the Gettysburg Festival please visit HYPERLINK
"http://www.gettysburgfestival.org/" www.gettysburgfestival.org or call (717)
334-0853.

The Rendell administration is committed to creating a first-rate public
education system, protecting our most vulnerable citizens and continuing
economic investment to support our communities and businesses.To find out more
about Governor Rendell's initiatives and to sign up for his weekly newsletter,
visit www.governor.state.pa.us.

CONTACT:
Chuck Ardo
717-783-1116

SOURCE Pennsylvania Office of the Governor

Chuck Ardo of the Pennsylvania Office of the Governor, +1-717-783-1116