High School Students Bring the Heat In Future Chef of America Competition

California School of Culinary Arts Hosts Scholarship Contest for Aspiring Chefs

PASADENA, Calif. – April 24, 2008 – California School of Culinary Arts hosts the finals of the Future Chef of America Culinary Scholarship Competition on May 10, giving 10 Southern California high school seniors the chance to demonstrate their skills in the kitchen to win scholarships and other prizes.

Chef judges from CSCA selected the finalists from more than 50 applicants for the annual competition. Judges evaluated contestants based on academic performance and an essay on their goals and professional aspirations in the culinary industry.

“California School of Culinary Arts wants to reward passionate and talented students with the tools to pursue their dreams of a culinary education,” said Megan Manion, director of marketing for CSCA. “We hope to encourage and inspire tomorrow's culinary stars with the chance to showcase their skills in the kitchen.”

During the competition students are given 90 minutes to prepare and present a two-course menu using only materials from a list of ingredients provided prior to the event.

“Although the kitchen was quiet, I could sense everybody's adrenaline pumping,” recalls 2007 Future Chef of America winner, Sarah Keys of Torrance, who went on to work with Wolfgang Puck at acclaimed Los Angeles eatery Spago. “The pressure was on until the very last second of the countdown when the chefs told us to drop our utensils.”

The prepared dishes will be assessed by a panel of Le Cordon Bleu Schools North America chef instructors: Jennifer Chin, Jeffrey Coker and Jennifer Toomey. Dishes are graded on taste, creativity, proper use of equipment and ingredients and presentation.

The finalists are from 10 local high schools:

• Kevin Alvarado of Oceanside – Rancho Buena Vista High School
• Diego Argoti of Burbank – Burroughs High School
• Ansly Chua of Walnut – Walnut High School
• Deborah Guerra of Chino – Don Lugo High School
• Ashleigh Hernandez of Monterey Park – Sacred Heart High School
• Jonas Norin of Corona – Diamond Bar High School
• Alexis North of Thousand Oaks – Oak Park High School
• Eric Sanchez of Downey – Warren High School
• Terrance Slamet of San Gabriel – Gabrielino High School
• Brandon Taylor of Fontana – Etiwanda High

Scholarships awards range from $2000 to $5000 toward enrollment at the California School of Culinary Arts, which is hosting the competition for the fourth year in a row. Awards for all finalists include scholarships, gift certificates for books, monogrammed chef's jackets and professional grade knives.

About CSCA
California School of Culinary Arts (Le Cordon Bleu Program) in Pasadena offers students a hands-on educational experience with a superior faculty dedicated to providing students with the necessary skills, knowledge, support and guidance for the successful development of a career in the culinary arts.  For more information, go to www.csca.edu