TASTE OF NEW ENGLAND RECIPE CONTEST FOR $10,000 SCHOLARSHIP
New England Culinary Institute Holds 'Open House' For Passionate Chefs-to-Be
(Montpelier, Vt....July 18, 2005) Favorite New England dishes bring to mind maple syrup, corn, blueberries, lobster, and even apple cider. To make the most of these ingredients, New England Culinary Institute (NECI), located in Montpelier and Essex, Vermont, is announcing its annual Taste of New England Scholarship Recipe Contest, where prospective students can put their culinary skills to work and create an original entrée recipe that features ingredients native to New England. The prize: An incredible scholarship to NECI, the International Association for Culinary Professional's '2004 Cooking School of the Year.' A $10,000 scholarship for the December 2005 semester will be awarded to the first place winner, a $7,500 scholarship for second place, and a $5,000 scholarship for third.
"This is an excellent time for prospective students to let their artistic juices flow and stand out from the crowd," says Chef Michel LeBorgne (M.C.F.), who co-founded NECI twenty-five years ago. "I'm looking forward to seeing what kind of inventive recipes they come up with this year."
NECI also welcomes prospective students of all ages to its upcoming Summer Open House, which will take place at the Inn at Essex on the school's Essex campus on Thursday, August 11, 2005, from 3:00 to 6:00 p.m. With another term just around the corner, NECI aims to recruit some of the most motivated chefs-to-be in the country to add to its student body. The Summer Open House offers prospective culinary professionals the opportunity to chat with faculty and admissions representatives, tour the kitchens to see chefs and current students in action, and experience the splendor of the Green Mountains, Lake Champlain and NECI's herb and vegetable gardens in full bloom. The cost is free, but reservations are required by July 29. To reserve space, contact 877-223-6324 or admissions@neci.edu.
For the recipe contest, New England restaurateurs and NECI graduates Seth and Angela Raynor, owners of The Pearl and The Boardinghouse in Nantucket, Mass., and Stephen Corry, co-owner of Five Fifty Five in Portland, Maine, will join LeBorgne, vice president of culinary affairs at NECI, as judges. The judging team will evaluate recipe entries on the balance of ingredients, originality of the dish, use of ingredients native to New England, taste and flavor, presentation (a photograph of the dish is optional), and ease of preparation. Each entry must be accompanied by a minimum 50-word essay on the dish's inspiration to help persuade the judges' opinion. Entries must be received by October 8, 2005. Full contest rules are below, followed by a schedule of upcoming events at the school.
Entry requirements for Taste of New England Scholarship Recipe Contest: Recipes must list all ingredients in exact common U.S. household measurements in order of use, step-by-step preparation instructions, cooking times and all utensils. Entrée should serve four to six people. To be considered for the scholarship, contestants must meet entrance requirements for NECI and enroll in the December 2005 associate's degree in culinary arts program as a first year student. Transfers from other start dates are not eligible. In addition to the recipe, contestants must submit a complete admissions file by October 8, 2005. This includes: 1) a completed NECI application, 2) a letter of recommendation from an employer, teacher or guidance counselor, 3) official high school or college transcripts, and 4) a personal statement of at least 250 words describing your interest in the food industry and why you've chosen to apply to NECI. Only complete entries that meet all requirements (including recipe, recipe contest entry form, admissions application, letter of recommendation, transcripts and personal statement) postmarked by October 8, 2005, will be considered. Scholarship amounts will be awarded over a two-year period, with half credited to the student's account at the beginning of the first and second year. This scholarship may not be combined with any other scholarship, with the exception of the Next Generation Scholarship. For more information or to request an application, call 877-223-6324 or visit www.neci.edu.
Upcoming NECI Events
Wednesday, August 3 - Thursday, August 4
Butler's at the Inn at Essex Student Tasting Menus
Experience a six-course tasting menu created and served by inspired and talented NECI students under the supervision of Chef Louise Duhamel.
For reservations, call 802.764.1413.
Thursday, August 11, 3-6 p.m.
Admissions Open House at The Inn at Essex
NECI invites prospective students to its Essex campus to visit the kitchens, watch chefs and students in action, and meet with admissions representatives and faculty.
Reservations required by July 29. Contact 877-223-6324 or admissions@neci.edu.
Thursday, August 11, 6-7 p.m.
Chef's Table Wine Tasting
Attend an educational cocktail party featuring a tasting flight of six wines and hors d'oeuvres...and yes, you may stay for dinner!
$25 per person. For reservations, call 802.229.9202.
Wednesday, August 24 - Thursday, August 25
Butler's at the Inn at Essex Student Tasting Menus
Experience a six-course tasting menu created and served by inspired and talented NECI students under the supervision of Chef Louise Duhamel.
For reservations, call 802.764.1413.
Please contact Jo Lipstadt at jo@civettacom.com to set up an interview with a NECI chef instructor, student or alum. Tours and cooking classes are available. Photos available upon request. Visit www.neci.edu for more information.
About New England Culinary Institute
New England Culinary Institute (NECI) was founded in 1980 with a unique educational model featuring "learn-by-doing" training in real-life situations. The school, which has grown to three campuses-two in Vermont and one in Tortola, B.V.I.-produces highly qualified chefs, managers, culinary professionals and industry leaders. Recognized for its innovative immersion style, NECI is known for its low student-to-teacher ratio and for providing personal and focused hands-on education. NECI offers a bachelor's degree in hospitality and restaurant management; associate's degrees in culinary arts, hospitality and restaurant management, and baking and pastry arts; certificates in basic cooking, baking, and pastry arts; as well as a host of non-professional cooking programs. Also known for its fine dining and catering, the school operates diverse food service outlets that serve the public daily.
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Nancy Civetta
Civetta Comunicazioni
90 Hamilton Street
Cambridge, MA 02139
T: 617/577-8098
F: 617/876-9233
E: nancy@civettacom.com
Chef2Chef News Desk