The Kitchens are Heating Up at The International Culinary Schools at The Art Institutes for the Best Teen Chef Local Cook-off Competitions Coast-to-Coast

The Kitchens are Heating Up at The International Culinary Schools at The Art Institutes for the Best Teen Chef Local Cook-off Competitions Coast-to-Coast

PITTSBURGH, March 11 /PRNewswire/ -- Who will be the Best Teen Chef 2009? Hundreds of high school seniors and budding chefs will get one-step closer to learning the answer on Saturday, March 14, 2009 as they head to The International Culinary Schools at The Art Institutes Best Teen Chef 2009 Local Cook-off Competitions throughout North America.

Coast-to-coast, Best Teen Chef Local Cook-off Competitions will be held at participating International Culinary Schools at The Art Institutes locations across the U.S. and Canada.

Following the Local Cook-off Competitions, local winners will head to The Art Institute of Charlotte for the Best Teen Chef Final Round Competition on May 9, 2009.

The top prize winner in the Competition can earn a full-tuition scholarship toward a bachelor's degree, associate's degree, certificate program or diploma program to study Culinary Arts at one of the more than 30 participating Art Institutes locations.

In addition to a full-tuition scholarship and the title of Best Teen Chef 2009, the national first place winner, in partnership with Food Network, will be an "Intern for a Day" at Food Network Kitchens in New York City. The winner will also receive a tour of Food Network's studios, dinner for two at a Food Network chef's restaurant and a library of Food Network Kitchens cookbooks.

"Every year, we see the popularity of this Competition grow among high school age teens. They're watching their favorite chefs on television, and saying to themselves, 'I can do that,'" said Chef Michael Nenes, Assistant Vice President of Culinary Arts for The Art Institutes.

Competitors at the Local Cook-off Competition will prepare a menu of Shrimp Cocktail, Sauteed Breast of Chicken, Seasonal Vegetables, and Rice Pilaf during timed heats.

For more information about the Best Teen Chef Competition, visit www.artinstitutes.edu/pr.aspx?ID=btc094.

About The International Culinary Schools at The Art Institutes

The International Culinary Schools at The Art Institutes is North America's largest system of culinary programs with over 30 locations.

Based on classical Escoffier, Asian and Latin culinary techniques, with an emphasis on progressive trends and practices, the schools' curriculum are designed to develop and sharpen fundamental cooking techniques and professional skills and introduce a variety of international cuisines. Internships, student-run school restaurants, guest lectures and Web-based seminars, and study abroad programs help broaden the scope of learning for students.

Program offerings vary at each school. Prospective students should check the course offerings at The Art Institutes school they are interested in attending before enrolling. To learn more about The International Culinary Schools at The Art Institutes, visit www.artinstitutes.edu/culinary or www.exploreculinary.com.

About The Art Institutes

The Art Institutes (www.artinstitutes.edu) is a system of over 40 education institutions located throughout North America, providing an important source of design, media arts, fashion and culinary professionals.

Source: The Art Institutes

CONTACT: Jacquelyn P. Muller, Vice President - Public Relations,
+1-412-995-7262, jpmuller@aii.edu, or Devra Pransky, Sr. Director of
Communications, +1-412-995-7685, dpransky@aii.edu, both of The Art Institutes

Web Site: http://www.artinstitutes.edu/

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