A Kansas City Teen Finds the Recipe for Success to Become The Art Institutes’ Best Teen Chef 2009

Culinary Champ’s Win Marks Tenth Anniversary of Prestigious Culinary Competition

[CHARLOTTE, NC May 12, 2009] – For Sammy Jo Claussen, a high school senior from Kansas City, keeping her cool in the kitchen today paid off big, emerging as The International Culinary Schools at The Art Institutes “Best Teen Chef 2009.” Sammy Jo won the Best Teen Chef Final Round Competition, sponsored by The International Culinary Schools at The Art Institutes, becoming the tenth teenager to lay claim to the title since the Competition’s inception in 2000. The young and talented Sammy Jo won a full- tuition scholarship to study Culinary Arts at The International Culinary School at The Art Institutes International – Kansas City, and the opportunity to serve as “Intern for a Day” in the Food Network Kitchens. The annual event was held this year at The Art Institute of Charlotte.

Kaitlyn McKissick of Olathe, Kan., earned second-place honors, receiving a half-tuition scholarship to study Culinary Arts at The International Culinary School at The Art Institute of Colorado. Oscar Melendez of Los Angeles earned third-place honors, receiving a quarter-tuition scholarship to study Culinary Arts at The International Culinary School at The Art Institute of California – Los Angeles.

Thirty-four high school seniors from across North America converged at The International Culinary School at The Art Institute of Charlotte to slice, dice, and simmer their way through the grueling two-hour competition in pursuit of more than $200,000 in tuition scholarships and the title of Best Teen Chef 2009.

Competitors were given two hours to prepare three dishes from a southern-inspired menu of Curly Endive Salad with Bacon and Poached Egg; Oyster Stew; and Catfish with a Creative Garnish. The teens were judged on cleanliness, taste, presentation and more by the judging panel of culinary industry professionals.

Sammy Jo’s grandmother helped develop her passion for cooking when she was just 12 years old; she particularly enjoys grilling fish and steak. Someday she hopes to open her own restaurant and travel the world to learn about all types of food.

“It is such an honor to be named the 2009 Best Teen Chef. I was thrilled when they announced my name; it made me feel that all my hard work and dedication truly paid off. I was among good company, as all my fellow competitors were extremely talented in their own right,” said Sammy Jo.

Chef Michael Nenes, Assistant Vice President of Culinary Arts for The International Culinary Schools at The Art Institutes said, "Each year, this event becomes more competitive. The key to the Best Teen Chef Final Round Competition is to come with your game face on and be ready to out-cook the competition. Sammy Jo distinguished herself throughout the Competition. Her overall talent and the preparation of her catfish, in particular, really wowed the judges. The judges were very impressed with her focus under pressure and her exceptional culinary skills.”

Art Institutes schools represented at this year’s Best Teen Chef Competition include: The Art Institute of Atlanta, The Art Institute of California – Inland Empire, The Art Institute of California – Los Angeles, The Art Institute of California – Orange County, The Art Institute of California – Sacramento, The Art Institute of California – San Diego, The Art Institute of California – San Francisco, The Art Institute of California – Sunnyvale, The Art Institute of Charlotte, The Art Institute of Charleston, The Art Institute of Colorado, The Art Institute of Dallas, The Art Institute of Fort Lauderdale, The Art Institute of Houston, The Art Institute of Indianapolis, The Art Institute of Jacksonville, The Art Institutes International – Kansas City, The Art Institute of Las Vegas, The Art Institutes International Minnesota, The Art Institute of Michigan, The Art Institute of Ohio – Cincinnati, The Art Institute of Philadelphia, The Art Institute of Phoenix, The Art Institute of Pittsburgh, The Art Institute of Portland, The Art Institute of Raleigh – Durham, The Art Institute of Salt Lake City, The Art Institute of Seattle, The Art Institute of Tampa, The Art Institute of Tucson, The Art Institute of Tennessee – Nashville, The Art Institute of Vancouver, The Art Institute of Washington, and The Illinois Institute of Art – Chicago.

For more information on The Best Teen Chef Competition, visit www.artinstitutes.edu/pr.aspx?ID=btc097.

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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 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.

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

Contact:
Jacquelyn P. Muller
Vice President - Public Relations
The Art Institutes
412.995.7262
jpmuller@aii.edu

Or

Devra Pransky
Sr. Director of Communications
The Art Institutes
412.995.7685
dpransky@aii.edu

This release was published on openPR.