Moraine Valley Community College has been selected as a co-beneficiary for the Patrick’s Putts and Pans golf outing on Wednesday, July 15, at Silver Lake Country Club. Proceeds from the event will support culinary scholarships for Moraine Valley and Joliet Junior College students.
“Moraine Valley is honored to have been selected as a beneficiary of this golf outing honoring a great man, chef and restaurateur,” said Kristy McGreal, executive director of the Moraine Valley Community College Foundation.
The golf outing will honor Patrick Concannon, owner and chef of Osteria Ottimo and Mama Maria’s Restaurant in Orland Park, who passed away in 2025. He began his culinary career in 1984, working in fine dining kitchens in Chicago, Hawaii, France and California. In 1990, he moved back to Chicago as a sous chef and established himself as an innovator of modern Mexican cuisine, and was selected among a few local chefs to cook at the U.S. Open held at Olympia Fields Country Club in 2003. In 2008, he opened Osteria Ottimo, a small Italian eatery specializing in simple rustic Italian dishes. Five years later, he opened Mama Maria’s Taco and Tequila Bar.
To honor Concannon’s passion and work ethic, the Patrick Concannon Young Chef’s Scholarship Fund (PCYCSF) was created to help ensure young culinary arts students can finish their studies. The purpose of PCYCSF is to remove financial barriers and support the next generation of bakers and chefs.
“Anyone who knew Patrick understands that he would be bothered if a student had to leave their passion because they couldn’t afford it,” said Jory Carrick, a representative from the Patrick’s Putts and Pans golf outing. “Proceeds from PCYCSF will allow culinary students in need to pursue their passion with the same spirit and vigor Patrick had.”
Moraine Valley’s Culinary Arts programs train students for careers in a variety of settings, including restaurants, hotels, catering companies, hospitals, corporate environments and more. Faculty members bring real-world experiences, and students learn in immersive, professional-grade kitchens. Students in Culinary Arts can earn associate degrees and certificates in specialized areas.
“This generous donation from PCYCSF will help many culinary arts students overcome their financial obstacles so they can dedicate focus to their craft, the same way Patrick did,” McGreal shared. “Patrick’s impact will fuel generations of Culinary Arts students at Moraine Valley.”
To sign up for the event or to find more information about donations (monetary, auction items, gift cards, sports memorabilia, etc.), visit patricksputtsandpans.com.
For news media inquiries, contact Joshua Lahey, Moraine Valley communications specialist, at (708) 974-5652 or laheyj5@morainevalley.edu.
