Grossmont High School Culinary Star Sets Sights on Best Teen Chef Final Round Competition

April 15, 2008 - PRLog -- This weekend, hundreds of high school seniors turned budding chefs took the first step toward launching what could be the beginning of their professional culinary careers.

On Saturday, April 12, high school seniors from across the U.S. and Canada competed in Best Teen Chef Local Cook-off Competitions at participating The International Culinary Schools at The Art Institutes locations throughout North America including, The Art Institute of California – San Diego.  

The winner of The International Culinary School at The Art Institute of California – San Diego’s Best Teen Chef Local Cook-off Competition is Krista Scott a senior at Grossmont High School from El Cajon, California.  

"I thought the Best Teen Chef Competition was such a great time, and I’m so excited and proud of myself that I won,” says Scott.  “I love cooking with a passion, and I want to learn everything I can about this industry, which has already brought me awesome experiences!”

The 31 Local Cook-off Competition winners will proceed to the Best Teen Chef Final Round Competition on Saturday, May 17, at The Art Institute of Las Vegas.  

Top prize winners in the Competition can win a full-tuition scholarship toward an associate's degree, certificate 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 2008, the first place winner in the national competition, in partnership with Food Network, will be an "Intern for a Day" at the Food Network Kitchens in New York City. The winner will also receive a tour of the Food Network Studios, dinner for two at a Food Network chef's restaurant and a library of Food Network Kitchens cookbooks.

The Art Institutes created the Best Teen Chef competition in 2000 to encourage and recognize young culinary talent.  According to Chef Mark Sullivan, Academic Director of Culinary Arts, “The interest in culinary arts among young people has literally soared in recent years.”  Sullivan explains, “This is due to many factors, among them, working parents, the proliferation of cooking shows on television, and the desire to participate in family traditions.”

For more information on the Best Teen Chef Competition, visit www.artinstitutes.edu/pr.aspx?ID=btc007 or contact Jody Auslund, (858) 598-1303 or jauslund@aii.edu for additional information.

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

Website: artinstitutes.edu/sandiego