Teen Chef Competition 2011 at The Art Institute of California

Enter to Win the Best Teen Chef Competition 2011 at The International Culinary School at The Art Institute of California – Orange County

Do you enjoy exploring new recipes and trying new flavor combinations? If you are a high school senior graduating in 2011, then the Best Teen Chef Competition at The Art Institute of California - Orange County is the place to showcase your talents. Compete against your peers to earn a scholarship towards a culinary education at one of The International Culinary School at The Art Institute of California - Orange County.

A Best Teen Chef will be crowned and offered a $5,000 scholarship towards a culinary degree program. The Best Teen Chef Competition, now in its twelfth year, is an opportunity for high school seniors in the U.S. and Canada interested in pursuing a culinary career to experience the excitement and discipline of the industry.  

“Every year, we continue to be inspired by the talents of the emerging culinarians that enter the Best Teen Chef Competition. These students show a real love for the culinary arts and an enthusiasm for exploring fresh new meal ideas for friends and family,” says Daniel Mattos, Academic Director of Culinary Arts at The Art Institute of California – Orange County.

To be eligible to enter the competition, high school seniors must first submit a completed Entry & Release Form by February 4, 2011 to The International Culinary School at The Art Institute of California – Orange County. Deadline for complete entries into the competition is February 25, 2011. Selected entrants will progress to Local Cook-Off Competition at The International Culinary School at The Art Institute of California – Orange County on April 30, 2011.

To learn how to enter the Best Teen Chef Competition 2011 and to view the competition rules, visit http://www.artinstitutes.edu/pr.aspx?ID=AI2127 or contact Hope Adams, Associate Director of Admissions The Art Institute of California – Orange County at hadams@aii.edu or 714.338.1307.

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 offered at over 30 Art Institutes schools. Based on classical Escoffier, Asian, and Latin culinary techniques, with an emphasis on progressive trends and practices, the schools' curriculum are 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.


-Blythe
on my grooveshark: Dr. Dog's "Heart it Races"

Beer and Firefighters For a Good Cause

OC BREW HA HA Festival Fundraiser to Feature 100+ Craft Beers, 50+ Breweries

9/11 fundraiser to support Orange County Fallen Firefighters Relief Fund

Irvine, Calif., September 2010 – The Orange County community will be given the opportunity to honor fallen firefighters during a unique 9/11 celebration, the OC Brew Ha Ha festival fundraiser from noon to 3 p.m. at Hidden Valley Park in Irvine. On Saturday, September 11, attendees will have the opportunity to sample more than 100 custom craft beers from some of the most prestigious breweries in Southern California, as well as enjoy food, entertainment and beer seminars. In addition, off-duty firefighters will be pouring and serving up brews to the public throughout the event.

This 9/11 event will serve as a way to observe and show appreciation for local firefighters as a portion of the proceeds from ticket sales are donated to the Fallen Firefighters Relief Fund, a non-profit organization that aids families of Orange County firefighters lost in the line of duty.

All tickets, restricted to those 21 years and older, include a commemorative glass and 10 four-oz. samplings, free water/soft drinks, and free parking. Additional samplings may be purchased – three for $5. Regular admission is $35 per adult and special VIP packages are available starting at $45 for early admission (11 a.m. entry), two extra tastes, and preferred parking. Other packages include a $60 pass with an exclusive food and beer gathering with brewers and firefighters after the event (3 p.m. – 4 p.m.); and a $10 Designated Driver ticket for those who will not be sampling brews. For more details or to purchase tickets, visit ocbrewhaha.com  or call (949) 363-1774.

“As a retired Lieutenant Commander from the U.S. Coast Guard Reserves, I have a special interest in helping those associated with service to the community and to our country, so I wanted to produce a 9/11 event that celebrated the contributions of the many brave men and women who wear uniforms to serve and protect,” commented Carrie James, event producer for the OC Brew Ha Ha fundraiser. “Our goal is to raise funds while having a great time enjoying quality beers at what we hope will become an annual craft beer festival in Orange County.”

In addition, guests will be able to gain knowledge from Beer Appreciation Presentations, some led by fully certified Cicerones. In the beer industry, this is the equivalent of a wine Sommelier, and the OC Brew Ha Ha will have four of the most respected authorities on beer in the nation: Ed Heethuis (Celebrator Beer News), discussing Sensory Analysis of Beer; Stef Ferrari (The Bruery), on the topic of Barrel Aging: Past, Present & Future; Jonathan Porter (Tustin Brewing), on The Journey from Homebrew to Going Pro and Dr. Bill Sysak (Stone Brewing), revealing the Secrets of Exceptional Food & Beer Pairing.
The OC Brew Ha Ha will be held at Hidden Valley Park (8800 Irvine Center Drive
Irvine, CA 92618), one of the premier private-event facilities in Southern California. It is centrally located in Irvine, between the Verizon Amphitheater and Wild Rivers, where the 5 and 405 come together. For more information or to purchase tickets, visit ocbrewhaha.com

For more information, contact: Mona Shah, Moxxe PR at +1 818 749 1931 or mona@moxxepr.com

On our Pandora: Weezer's "Say It Ain't So"

Pampered Chef Pampered Treatment

Today we had a lovely surprise at the office. Homemade Cupcakes. Delivered. With a side of flowers. Who's our suitor? Jamie Mead, our friendly neighborhood Pampered Chef rep and OC Gazette advertiser! Jamie is so sweet. She's also an amazing cook. Mainly because she's got all the right tools and kitchenware. It's her business. She sells Pampered Chef cookware and bakeware that make preparing meals easy, efficient, delicious and oh-so-pro looking. "Food is a common ground, a universal experience," says Jamie. I think we can all agree that some of the best heart-to-hearts, laughs, and bonding happen over meals with friends and family. And that's why Jamie is passionate about the products she sells. Meals shared together are becoming a long-lost tradition, sadly. Time and effort are scarce in people's schedules today. That's why Jamie is a champion for kitchen tools that can save time and effort and revive the long-lost shared-feast. "You can use Pampered Chef kitchen products to help find common ground in your kitchen again." A chef and a poet. Doesn't get better than that.

[Showcasing the delicious goods]

Jamie has a deal for the month of August through The OC Gazette:

Now you can get your favorite Pampered chef products without hosting a party. Just call Jamie at 949-697-4513 to redeem the coupon or receive a catalog. You can peruse the products on her website at www.PamperedChef.biz/JamieCooksForU.

Cheers,

Jen

On My iPod: Rolling Stones' "Ruby Tuesday"