Southern Vance Student Takes Home Top Prize at The Art Institute of Raleigh - Durham Best Teen Chef Cook-Off Competition
Back
[DURHAM, N.C. MARCH 16, 2009] – On Saturday March 14, high school seniors from across the state with aspirations of a culinary education gathered at The Art Institute of Raleigh — Durham to participate in the Best Teen Chef 2009 Local Cook-off Competition. Keneen Sheppard, a high school senior from Southern Vance High School in Henderson, N.C., walked away with the top prize: a $3,000 scholarship and a chance to represent The Art Institute of Raleigh — Durham at the national competition.
Kennan is now headed to The Art Institute of Charlotte for the Best Teen Chef Final Round Competition on May 9, 2009. The top prize winner in the competition can earn a full tuition scholarship toward a Culinary Arts bachelor’s degree, associate's degree, certificate or diploma to at one of the more than 30 participating Art Institutes locations, including The Art Institute of Raleigh — Durham.
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 the 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.
"We are so excited for Keneen and are very proud that he will be representing us in Charlotte,” said Dan Taylor, Academic Director, Culinary Arts at The Art Institute of Raleigh — Durham. “It’s promising to see teenagers who are still in high school demonstrating the determination, focus and drive needed to have a career in the challenging field of culinary arts."
Second place was awarded to Richard Williams from Clayton High School, and Lauren Davis from Pamlico County High School walked away with the third place honor.
Now in its tenth 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 who are interested in pursuing a career in the fast growing culinary industry.
To learn more about The Art Institute of Raleigh — Durham’s Best Teen Chef Local Cook-off Competition, visit www.artinstitutes.edu/pr.aspx?ID=btc094 or www.artinstitutes.edu/raleigh-durham.
About The International Culinary Schools at The Art Institutes
The International Culinary Schools at The Art Institutes is North America's largest system of culinary programs with over 30 locations. Based on classical Escoffier, Asian and Latin culinary techniques, with an emphasis on progressive trends and practices, the schools' curriculum is designed to develop and sharpen fundamental cooking techniques and professional skills and introduce a variety of international cuisines. Internships, student-run school restaurants, guest lectures and Web-based seminars, and study abroad programs help broaden the scope of learning for students.
Program offerings vary at each school. Prospective students should check the course offerings at The Art Institutes school they are interested in attending before enrolling. To learn more about The International Culinary Schools at The Art Institutes, visit www.artinstitutes.edu/culinary or www.exploreculinary.com.
The Art Institute of Raleigh — Durham is one of The Art Institutes (www.artinstitutes.edu), a system of more than 40 education institutions located throughout North America, providing an important source of design, media arts, fashion and culinary arts professionals.