Local Best Teen Chef Places 8th in National Competition

Norcross High School Student Sandra Clavijo Wins Additional $5,000 Scholarship to Attend The International Culinary School at The Art Institute of Atlanta

ATLANTA (GA) – The Art Institute of Atlanta’s Best Teen Chef Local Cook-off Competition winner, Sandra Clavijo, a senior at Meadowcreek High School in Norcross, placed 8th in the national competition, receiving a $5,000 scholarship in addition to the $15,000 scholarship she already received as the Atlanta local winner.  At the national competition, which took place on May 9 in Charlotte, NC, Sandra sliced, diced, and simmered against 34 high school seniors from across North America in pursuit of more than $200,000 in tuition scholarships and for the title of Best Teen Chef 2009. 

Competitors were given two hours to prepare three dishes from a Southern-inspired menu of Curly Endive Salad with Bacon and Poached Egg, Oyster Stew, and Catfish with a Creative Garnish.  The teens were judged on cleanliness, taste, and presentation by a panel of culinary industry professionals.   Sammy Jo Claussen from Kansas City took home the top honors, receiving a full tuition scholarship and the opportunity to serve as “Intern for a Day” in the Food Network Kitchens. 

“It was such an honor to compete on a national level because to me it means that I am moving forward towards furthering my education in the culinary field and I am doing a pretty good job at it!” said Clavijo.

Chef Michael Nenes, assistant vice president of culinary arts for The International Culinary Schools at The Art Institutes said, “Each year, this event becomes more competitive.  The key to the Best Teen Chef Final Round Competition is to come with your game face on and be ready to out-cook the competition. The judges were very impressed by the top 10 winners’ ability to focus under pressure and their exceptional culinary skills.”

Clavijo will begin her studies in the culinary arts management bachelor of science program at The International Culinary School at The Art Institute of Atlanta in July. 

The Art Institute of Atlanta is an accredited institutional member of the National Association of Schools of Art and Design (NASAD).  The Art Institute of Atlanta, including its satellite campus and its branch campuses – The Art Institute of Atlanta-Decatur, The Art Institute of Charleston, The Art Institute of Tennessee-Nashville, and The Art Institute of Washington – is accredited by the Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools to award associate and baccalaureate degrees.  Contact the Commission on Colleges at 1866 Southern Lane, Decatur, GA 30033-4097 or call 404.679.4500 for questions about the accreditation of The Art Institute of Atlanta.  The Art Institute of Atlanta is one of The Art Institutes (www.artinstitutes.edu), a system of over 40 educational institutions throughout North America, providing an important source of design, media arts, fashion, and culinary arts professionals.

Contact: 
Johanna Brown        Kim Resnik
jrbrown@aii.edu       kresnik@aii.edu    
770.689.4787           770.689.4892