Released on: April 22, 2008, 10:05 am

Press Release Author: The Art Institute of California - Orange County

Industry: Food & Beverage

Press Release Summary: Teen moves on to the Best Teen Chef Final Round Competition
in Las Vegas

Press Release Body: On Saturday, April 12, high school seniors from across the U.S.
and Canada competed in Best Teen Chef Local Cook-off Competitions at The
International Culinary Schools at The Art Institutes locations throughout North
America including, The Art Institute of California - Orange County.

The winner of Orange County's Best Teen Chef Local Cook-off Competition was Esmael
Majedi from
Mission Viejo, a senior at Trabuco Hills High School. Majedi has earned a $5,000
scholarship to attend The Art Institute of California - Orange County.

"I felt confident going into the competition and I just tried to stay calm," Majedi
said. "But when they announced me as the winner, I was completely shocked."

Coming in second place and receiving a $3,000 scholarship was Chaparral High School
senior David Cabrera from Murrieta, CA. Whittier resident Mallory Saunders, a senior
at La Serna High School and Tustin High School senior Hazel Zuniga shared the third
place title and will both receive a scholarship worth $2,000.

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.

For more information on the Best Teen Chef Competition or for photos from the event,
contact Veronica Orozco at vorozco@aii.edu or 714.830.0221 or visit
www.artinstitutes.edu/btc.


The Art Institute of California - Orange County is a design, media and culinary arts
school providing bachelor's and associate's degree programs in Advertising, Culinary
Arts, Culinary Management, Fashion Design, Fashion Marketing & Management, Game Art
& Design, Graphic Design, Industrial Design, Interior Design, Media Arts &
Animation, Visual & Game Programming and Web Design & Interactive Media. Located in
the heart of Orange County's South Coast Metro region, The Art Institute is ideally
situated in close proximity to Orange County's thriving business community, cultural
attractions, shopping, entertainment and its famous beaches. The school 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 arts professionals.


Web Site: http://www.artinstittues.edu/orangecounty

Contact Details: The Art Institute of California - Orange County
3601 W. Sunflower Avenue
Santa Ana, CA 92704
714.830.0200
Fax: 714.556.8937