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Meet our Volunteer Chefs

Ellen Byham

Ellen Byham (pictured to the left of her family) loves to use her gift of hospitality to cook and serve others delicious food. She opened and ran her own catering business, Journey East Indian Cuisine, for several years. Ellen found eating delicious food from all over the world was one way she could easily travel with a large family and not actually go anywhere! Her family’s cuisine of choice is Indian food. Her youngest of 6 was adopted from India, so the cuisine helps connect them with her country. Ellen is happy to use her gifts to share with your Market House experience and she always encourages others to taste travel-it’s the most fun way to enjoy other cultures. Bon appetite!

Allegheny College's Christopher Bakken

Christopher Bakken is the author of Honey, Olives, Octopus: Adventures of the Green Table (Univ. of California Press, 2013), which has been translated into Polish and Bulgarian. His recipes have been featured in Food & Wine and Cooking Light magazines. Bakken organized the Nu Way Farm Community Supported Agriculture Cooperative and he is the Chair of the English Department at Allegheny College.

1776's Ricky Jefferson

.1776 is a concept that formed when two long-time business partners combined their knowledge of cattle and cigards. The beef is raised naturally by John on farms in Mercer and Crawford Country. The assortment of premium cigars are chosen humidor. The food is scratch-cooked and always fresh, using as many local products and vendors as possible. 1776 offers customers a true farm-to-table experience.

The restaurant, located at 994 Market St,. is open Tuesdays-Thursday's 11 am - 10 pm, Friday's 11 am-1 am and Saturday's 3 pm - 1 am, and can be contacted for more information at

(814) 807-0600. Follow the Facebook page for updates and events!

Diva Chef Shan, owner and proprietor at

Ocean's Cafe: Where Every Meal is Like a Day at the Beach

Ocean's Cafe, which recently celebrated its 3-year anniversary, specialized in bright-tasting gluten-free, vegan, and vegetarian foods. Its is located at 940 Park Avenue inside @theBank, and operates Tuesdays-Saturdays from 10 am - 3 pm.

The restaurant also offers catering and personal chef services, and can be contacted with questions at (814) 724-3199. For more information, please go to www.oceanscafe814.com. Follow the Facebook page for updates!

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