On the evening of Sunday, February 5th, Drs. Tip and Ellen McKnight opened their stunning home to guests as hosts of the second Earl Peyroux Culinary Scholarship cocktail reception. The friend-raiser was highlighted by a culinary demonstration from Chef Daniel Watts and Sous Chef David Penniman of Classic City Catering in the style of the late Chef Earl Peyroux.
Hal George and Dr. Ellen McKnight brought the vision of an endowed scholarship honoring Chef Peyroux to the Foundation in 2020. Dr. McKnight shared why she chooses to support PSC students. “I just love what the culinary school produces,” she says. “After two years of attendance to culinary events, my focus became setting up the Earl Peyroux scholarship.”
This scholarship, which will support culinary students into perpetuity was created to honor a beloved local icon, Chef Peyroux, who famously hosted his own cooking show “Gourmet Cooking” through WSRE for 13 episodes and eventually PBS over a span of 18 years. On top of being an instructor for the then Pensacola Junior College, Earl would go on to sell 120,000 of his companion cookbooks.
Those wishing to donate to scholarships such as the Earl Peyroux Culinary Scholarship can do so by visiting: https://foundation.pensacolastate.edu/opportunities-to-support-psc/scholarships/