Only the Best Can Slice, Dice and Chop Their Way to the Title Best Teen Chef

[PITTSBURGH, PA, October 6, 2007] — For high school seniors that can stand the heat of the kitchen, there's no better place to show off their culinary know-how than at The Art Institutes Best Teen Chef Competition 2008.

Now in its ninth year, the Best Teen Chef Competition awards more than $250,000 in tuition scholarships to The Art Institutes schools to high school seniors in the U.S. and Canada interested in pursuing a career in the fast growing culinary industry.

Top prize winners in the competition can win a full-tuition scholarship towards an associate's degree, certificate or diploma program, to study culinary arts at any of the 30 participating Art Institute locations.

In addition to a full-tuition scholarship and the title of Best Teen Chef 2008, the first place winner in the national competition, in partnership with Food Network, will be an "Intern for a Day" at the Food Network Kitchens in New York City. The winner will also receive a tour of the Food Network Studios, dinner for two at a Food Network chef's restaurant and a library of Food Network Kitchens cookbooks.

According to Chef Michael Nenes, Assistant Vice President of Culinary Arts for The Art Institutes, "Each year we see the interest in this competition grow. Teenagers still in high school are demonstrating the determination, focus and drive needed to have a career in the challenging field of culinary arts."

To be eligible to participate in the competition, you must first send a complete Entry & Release form to The Art Institute school where you wish to enter the competition or fill out an online entry form at http://www.artinstitutes.edu/Competitions/BestTeenChef.aspx?prid=btc_1007_001_pr, by February 8, 2008. Deadline for entries to be received into the competition is February 29, 2008. Local Best Teen Chef Cook-off Competitions will be held at participating Art Institutes locations on April 12, 2008.

The National Best Teen Chef Final Round Competition will be held on Saturday, May 17, 2008, at The Art Institute of Las Vegas.

For more information on The Best Teen Chef Competition, visit http://www.artinstitutes.edu/Competitions/BestTeenChef.aspx?prid=btc_1007_001_pr.

The Art Institutes (http://www.artinstitutes.edu) is a system of over 35 locations throughout North America, providing an important source of design, media arts, fashion and culinary arts professionals.

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CONCTACT:

Jacki Muller
Vice President, Public Relations
The Art Institutes
412.995.7262
jpmuller@aii.edu

Devra Pransky
The Art Institutes
412.995.7685
dpransky@aii.edu