Brownsburg Student Sets Her Sights on the Best Teen Chef Final Round Competition in Las Vegas

[Indianapolis, IN, April 13, 2008] – This 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, April 12, high school seniors from across the U.S. and Canada competed in Best Teen Chef Local Cook-off Competitions at participating The International Culinary Schools at The Art Institutes locations throughout North America including, The International Culinary School at The Art Institute of Indianapolis. 

The winner of The International Culinary School at The Art Institute of Indianapolis’s Best Teen Chef Local Cook-off Competition is Erikah Morehead-Belvin a senior at Brownsburg High School.

“I am amazed and happy”, said Morehead-Belvin.  “Cooking is something I have done since I was a kid and what I plan to continue doing in my future.” 

Morehead-Belvin’s culinary craft has been honed since she was a pre-teen.  Since she was 10 years old she cooked for International Life Church of Indianapolis to feed hundreds of people.  To further her skills at home, Morehead-Belvin’s parents set up an area in their home that is a make-shift restaurant.  Here Morehead-Belvin presents her menu, takes orders, cooks, serves and presents a check which is paid by her parents.  Her favorite cuisine to cook is seafood especially shrimp and tilapia.

The 31 Local Cook-off Competition winners will proceed to the Best Teen Chef Final Round Competition on Saturday, May 17, at The Art Institute of Las Vegas. 

Top prize winners in the Competition can win a full-tuition scholarship toward an associate's degree, certificate 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 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.

The Art Institutes created the Best Teen Chef competition in 2000 to encourage and recognize young culinary talent.  According to Chef Marc Aguilera, Culinary Academic Director, “The interest in culinary arts among young people has literally soared in recent years and especially in Indiana.”  Chef Aguilera explains, “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 on the Best Teen Chef Competition, visit www.artinstitutes.edu/pr.aspx?ID=btc007 or contact Chris Mesecar at 317.613.4800 for additional information.

The Art Institute of Indianapolis is one of The Art Institutes (www.artinstitutes.edu), a system of over 40 education institutions located throughout North America, providing an important source of design, media arts, fashion and culinary professionals.