A Georgia Teen Whips Up a Victory - The International Culinary Schools at The
Art Institutes Names Best Teen Chef 2008
LAS VEGAS, May 17 /PRNewswire/ -- A Georgia teen turned up the heat in the
kitchen today, emerging as "Best Teen Chef 2008." Jonathan Miller of
Savannah, Ga. won the Best Teen Chef Final Round Competition, sponsored by The
International Culinary Schools at The Art Institutes, becoming the ninth
winner to lay claim to the title since the Competition's inception in 2000.
Miller won a full tuition scholarship worth more than $40,000 to study
Culinary Arts at The International Culinary School at The Art Institute of
Atlanta and the opportunity to serve as "Intern for a Day" at the Food Network
Kitchens.
(Photo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20080517/NESA007-a )
(Logo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20080517/NESA007LOGO-b )
Aldo Sandoval of Emporia, Kan. and Joaquin Gaytan of Mesa, Ariz. earned
second- and third-place honors, also receiving full-tuition scholarships
toward an associate's degree, certificate or diploma program at one of The
International Culinary Schools at The Art Institutes.
Thirty-one high school seniors from across North America converged at The
International Culinary School at The Art Institute of Las Vegas to slice,
dice, and saute their way through the grueling two-hour competition in pursuit
of more than $250,000 in tuition scholarships and the title of Best Teen Chef
2008.
Competitors were given two hours to prepare three dishes from an Italian
inspired menu of Braciole Calabresi - Stuffed Pork Bundles; Peperonata -
Peppers Sauteed with Olive Oil and Capers; and Orechietti con Carciofl -
Orechietti Pasta with Artichokes. The teens were judged on cleanliness, taste
and presentation and more by the program's chef educators.
Miller credits his mother as his inspiration for cooking. While he was
growing up, "every day we would sit together and watch 'Great Chefs of the
East' and 'Great Chefs of the West,'" said Miller. "This simple, daily act
instilled in me a passion I hope to turn into a career." He would like to
pursue a career where he can achieve the same levels of satisfaction and pride
as when he is experimenting at home.
Chef Michael Nenes, Assistant Vice President of Culinary Arts for The Art
Institutes, said, "Each year, the caliber and talent of the students who
compete for the title of Best Teen Chef becomes more impressive. The key to
the Best Teen Chef Competition is to come with your game face on and be ready
to out-cook the competition. Training, focus and determination - all
qualities of the most successful chefs - are paramount. Jonathan Miller
distinguished himself throughout the Competition, and the judges were very
impressed with his excellent culinary skills and talent."
For more information on The Best Teen Chef Competition, visit
www.artinstitutes.edu/btc.
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 arts
professionals.
SOURCE The Art Institutes
Jacki P. Muller, VP Public Relations, +1-412-995-7262, jpmuller@aii.edu; or
Devra Pransky, PR Specialist, +1-412-995-7685, dpransky@aii.edu, both of The
Art Institutes
