Governor Presents First Pennsylvania Culinary Arts Award At Gettysburg Festival

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.