Teens To Compete In National Culinary Arts Competition At
San Diego Culinary Institute
LA MESA, June 13, 2005—The San Diego Culinary Institute will host youth from across the country to participate in the national Culinary Arts STAR (Students Taking Action with Recognition) Events Competition on July 3, 2005. A total of 90 students will be participating in the competition and SDCI has recruited several of the top Chefs in San Diego to participate as judges for the event. Executive Chef Bernard Guillas, The Marine Room; Food and Beverage Director Beresford Wall, Pechanga Casino; Executive Chef Fabrice Hardel, The Westgate Hotel; Executive Chef Miguel Martinez, Ruth’s Chris; Executive Chef Jesse Paul, Star of the Sea; Executive Chef Jonathan Hale, Blue Point Coastal, Chef Keith Schroeder, Barona Valley Ranch Resort and Casino; and Executive Chef Eric Badinier, Santa Luz are among those that have volunteered their time.
“We are dedicated to advancing the ambitions of these aspiring young culinarians and we are pleased to play a part in this important event,” said SDCI President David Badagliacca. The San Diego Culinary Institute will award scholarships to the top three teams. Teams of three students will be competing for: 1st place, $4,000 to each student; 2nd place, $3,000 each and 3rd place: $2,000 scholarship each. Culinary Arts is one of 16 STAR Events that students will be competing in at Family, Career and Community Leaders of America’s (FCCLA) 2005 National Leadership Meeting to be held here in San Diego during the July 4th weekend.
More than 5,000 youth and adults are expected at the meeting where they will attend dynamic general sessions, take part in leadership trainings and elect new national youth officers.
FCCLA’s STAR Events program is based on the belief that every student is a winner. Competition, evaluation and recognition all stress cooperation as the basis of success. Both youth and adults work together as managers of the events and as evaluators of the participants. Every participant will receive either a gold, silver or bronze medal at the STAR Events Recognition Session on Wednesday, July 6th at the San Diego Convention Center.
Throughout the year, FCCLA members tackle issues such as career exploration, youth violence prevention, traffic safety, family relationships and much more. FCCLA programs enrich student learning, improve self-esteem and serve students with a wide range of ability levels, economic situations and cultural influences. FCCLA is a dynamic and effective national student organization that helps young men and women become leaders and address important personal, family, work and societal issues through Family and Consumer Sciences Education. FCCLA has more than 200,000 members and nearly 7,000 chapters from 50 state associations and the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, and the Virgin Islands. The organization has involved more than 10 million youth since it’s founding in 1945.
The San Diego Culinary Institute is one of the nation’s premier centers for culinary education, preparing students for fulfilling careers in an exciting industry, learning from world-renowned Chef Instructors. SDCI’s graduates are sought out by San Diego’s top hotels and restaurants and go on to work for some of the most prestigious and well-known Chef’s in the Industry.
For more information please contact: Kenston Dearborn—SDCI at (619) 644-2100; the CEO and President are available for interviews. Tara Swenson—FCCLA at (703) 476-4900.
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Chef2Chef News Desk