Star Chefs of Tomorrow Set Their Sights On the Best Teen Chef Final Round Competition

MARCH 17, 2009 -- Last weekend, hundreds of high school seniors turned budding chefs took the first step toward launching what could be the beginning of their professional culinary careers.

On Saturday, March 14, high school seniors from across the U.S. and Canada competed in Best Teen Chef Local Cook-off Competitions at participating International Culinary Schools at The Art Institutes locations throughout North America including The Art Institute of Charlotte.

The winner of The Art Institute of Charlotte’s Best Teen Chef Local Cook-off Competition is Matthew B. Prater, a senior at Northwestern High School in Rock Hill, SC. Matt was awarded a $3,000 tuition scholarship to attend the International Culinary School at The Art Institute of Charlotte and the opportunity to participate in the national competition.

Justin Meadows of Stanley, NC, a senior at East Lincoln Senior High School, finished second and was awarded a $2,000 tuition scholarship, and Jimmie Charles Tate II of Boiling Springs, SC, who is home-schooled, was third place winner and won a $1,000 scholarship.

The 34 Local Cook-off Competition winners will proceed to the Best Teen Chef Final Round Competition on Saturday, May 9, at The Art Institute of Charlotte.
The top prize winner in the Competition can earn a full-tuition scholarship toward a bachelor’s degree, an associate's degree, certificate program or diploma program to study Culinary Arts at one of the more than 30 participating Art Institutes locations.
In addition to a full-tuition scholarship and the title of Best Teen Chef 2009, the national first place winner, in partnership with Food Network, will be an "Intern for a Day" at Food Network Kitchens in New York City. The winner will also receive a tour of Food Network's studios, dinner for two at a Food Network chef's restaurant and a library of Food Network Kitchens cookbooks.
The Art Institutes created the Best Teen Chef competition in 2000 to encourage and recognize young culinary talent.

“The interest in culinary arts among young people has literally soared in recent years,” said Chef Mark Martin, Academic Director of The International Culinary School at The Art Institute of Charlotte. “This is due to many factors, among them, working parents, the proliferation of cooking shows on television, and the desire to participate in family traditions.”

For more information, please contact Susan Jetton, Director of Public Relations at The Art Institute of Charlotte, 704.357.5963 or sjetton@aii.edu.