TV's Roberts Wins Cook-off CompetitionINDIANAPOLIS - Recently, 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 March 14, high school seniors from across the U.S. and Canada competed in Best Teen Chef Local Cook-off Competitions at participating International Culinary Schools at The Art Institutes locations throughout North America including the International Culinary School at The Art Institute of Indianapolis.
The winner of the International Culinary School at The Art Institute of Indianapolis' Best Teen Chef Local Cook-off Competition is Brooke Roberts, a senior at Tippecanoe Valley High School from Warsaw.
"This has been a dream for me ever since I started cooking with my Grandmother when I was 6," said Roberts. "I mainly have done baking so a two-course meal was a stretch, but I worked very hard for this and am happy and surprised with the results."
The 34 Local Cook-off Competition winners will proceed to the Best Teen Chef Final Round Competition May 9 at The Art Institute of Charlotte. The top prize winner in the competition can earn a full-tuition scholarship toward a bachelor's degree, an 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 also will 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.
Second place and a $2,000 scholarship to the International Culinary School at The Art Institute of Indianapolis went to Amanda Bradenburg of West Lafayette Junior-Senior High School. Third-place winner and a $1,000 scholarship to the International Culinary School at The Art Institute of Indianapolis went to Grace Fiske of Greensburg High School.
The Art Institutes created the Best Teen Chef competition in 2000 to encourage and recognize young culinary talent. According to Chef Marc Aguilera, chef director, "The interest in culinary arts among young people has literally soared in recent years. 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=btc095 or contact the International Culinary School at The Art Institute of Indianapolis for additional information.
