The 2010 Pennsylvania Palate Competition, sponsored by Sysco Central PA, closed the Conference, which consisted of eight chefs from around the commonwealth. Each chef was paired with a four-year culinary student from PA College of Technology and was given three hours to complete their featured menu item with accompaniments. They were then required to set their presentation station to allow the guests to sample their creations. To allow for a truly creative competition, the chefs were not told what protein they would be working with until the competition began. They were provided common pantry items, fruits, vegetables, alcohol for cooking and a full kitchen.

Attendees at the reception, which was open the conference registrants and the public, voted on their favorite dish/chef in three categories, Best Use of Local/Organic Foods, Most Creative and Best of Show. The winners were given a beautifully engraved chef's knife.

Congratulations to the 2010 PA Palate Competiton winners:

Most Creative - Mark Pawlowski, Executive Chef, Yorktowne Hotel
Best Use of Local/Organic Foods - Gaurav Navin, Executive Chef, Shawnee Inn & Golf Resort
Best of Show - Eileen Watkin, Executive Chef, Hilton Inn at Penn