STAR CHEFS OF TOMORROW SET THEIR SIGHTS ON THE BEST TEEN CHEF FINAL ROUND COMPETITION

The Best Teen Chef Cook-Off attracted 12 participants at the International Culinary School at The Art Institue of California-Inland Empire

Best Teen Chef Kevin Agra, cooking

Winner Kevin Agra, second place winner Enrique Lucatero and third place winner Scott Nereim, with Culinary Director Eyad Joseph

(SAN BERNARDINO, Calif.) - 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 Art Institute of California-Inland Empire.

The winner of The Art Institute of California-Inland Empire’s Best Teen Chef Local Cook-off Competition is Kevin Agra a senior at Los Osos High School in Rancho Cucamonga.

“It’s surreal,” Agra said a few days after he was named the winner. “I never expected to win. I went into the competition to have fun.”

Agra said cooking has long been a passion of his, and even as a child loved to experiment in the kitchen. He continues these experiments today, cooking for family members whom he says are “my human guinea pigs.”

Second place winner at the Art Institute of California-Inland Empire was Enrique Lucatero, a senior at San Bernardino High School. Third place went to Scott Nereim, a senior at Arlington High School in Riverside,

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.

“The interest in culinary arts among young people has literally soared in recent years, said Chef Eyad Joseph, culinary director at The International Culinary School at the Art Institute of the Inland Empire, “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 The Art Institute of California-Inland Empire at (909) 915-2100 or www.artinstitutes.edu/inlandempire for additional information.

The Art Institute of California-Inland Empire 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.

ALURRA HUGHES OF REDLANDS WINS POSTER DESIGN CONTEST AND $3,000 SCHOLARSHIP

Alurra Hughes' winning poster

[SAN BERNARDINO Calif.] – Alurra Hughes, a senior at Redlands High School, won the “Life is Better with Art in it” Poster Design Competition held at the Art Institute of California-Inland Empire.

Hughes won a $3,000 scholarship in the competition, which was sponsored by The Art Institutes and Americans for the Arts. She also will be entered into the national stage of the competition, in which she will compete against other local winners from across North America for scholarships.

The grand prize winner of the national competition will be awarded a $25,000 scholarship to any of the more than 40 Art Institutes across North America.

The competition was open to graduating high school seniors interested in pursuing an education in graphic design. Students submitted an original poster design, a current high school transcript and a statement describing their design process and why they want to attend one of The Art Institutes schools.

“I hope to have a job doing what I love, so when I awaken each morning my job is something more of an adventure, rather than something to just pay the bills,” Hughes said in her essay. “I love everything about art. The Art Institute can help me improve my artistic abilities, and help me succeed in getting a job that is all about creating memorable works of art for the benefit of the world.“

From now through May 2, an industry panel of judges selected by The Art Institutes will assess each student's poster design, based on the specified criteria, by visiting the posters and the designers’ statements at www.artinstitutes.edu/pr.aspx?ID=PDC005

The Art Institutes will use the poster designs of the top 12 winners in the national competition in a promotional calendar, and distribute these to high schools across North America.

The Art Institute of California–Inland Empire offers Bachelor of Science degrees in Game Art & Design, Culinary Management, Graphic Design, Web Design & Interactive Media, Interior Design, Fashion and Retail Management and Media Arts & Animation. There are also Associate of Science degrees in Graphic Design and Culinary Arts. Each program is offered on a year-round basis, allowing students to work uninterrupted toward their degrees.

It’s not too late to start classes. Courses begin May 8, with offerings in the days, evenings and on weekends for new and reentry students. For details or a tour of the campus call (909) 915-2100, or go on line to artinstitutes.edu/inlandempire.

The Art Institute of California-Inland Empire 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.
Americans for the Arts is the leading nonprofit organization for advancing the arts in America. With offices in Washington, DC, and New York City, it has a record of more than 45 years of service. Americans for the Arts is dedicated to representing and serving local communities and creating opportunities for every American to participate in and appreciate all forms of the arts. Additional information is available at www.AmericansForTheArts.org.
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LEARN ABOUT FASHION, SUMMER STUDIO, MORE AT ART INSTITUTE OPEN HOUSE

Rikke Van Johnson San Bernardno City Councilman and Boys and Girls Club Board Member examines a mural participants created for the Boys & Girls Club of San Bernardino for Summer Studio 2007.

(SAN BERNARDINO, Calif.) -- The Art Institute of California-Inland Empire is opening its doors to local residents interested in a college degree or a career in the creative arts.

Monica Jeffs, senior director of admissions, said the open house will be held from 9 a.m. – 1 p.m. Saturday, April 26 at The Art Institute of California-Inland Empire campus located at 630 E. Brier Dr., San Bernardino.

“Guests will learn why we are America’s leader in creative education,” Jeffs said.

“ We are presenting information about all of the majors we offer such as our new fashion and retail management program, as well as game arts and design, culinary arts, interior design, graphic design, web design and interactive media, and media arts and animation. We hope many of our guests will want to apply for our next term, which begins May 8 with day, evening and weekend courses.”

The open house will also serve as an introduction to Summer Studio, a program The Art Institute of California-Inland Empire offers during summer for high school students starting their junior or senior year in the fall.

In this program, students work with a non-profit organization selected by The Art Institute of California-Inland Empire. They help the organization with design needs, thus experiencing what it would be like to work in a particular design field.

Also at the open house, there will be hands-on workshops in all of the programs, and a more extensive introduction to the new Fashion & Retail Management program.


The open house is also an opportunity to meet The Art Institute’s faculty, many of whom are also working in the industry, Jeffs said. These include Robert Delgadillo, who instructs both graphic design and fashion courses at The Art Institute, and also designs ads that have appeared in In Style and Vogue.

Jeffs said members of the public can tour the facility and meet with representatives from the university’s academic, student life and financial aid departments.

“Get the facts on how financial aid works, how you qualify and what you could be eligible for,” she said. “You may be surprised at how much is available for students with the desire to succeed.”

The Art Institute of California – Inland Empire is one of The Art Institutes (www.artinstitutes.edu), with 40 educational institutions located throughout North America, providing an important source of design, media arts, fashion and culinary arts professionals. For more information, call The Art Institute of California – Inland Empire at (909) 915-2100 or visit www.artinstitutes.edu/inlandempire.

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GREATER FAITH MINISTRIES BUYS NEW PROPERTY IN COLTON

(COLTON, Calif.) Greater Faith Ministries, a church focusing on community outreach, hopes within the next three years to do even greater things than now with its newly purchased property in Colton.

The church of approximately 60 members raised enough money recently to purchase about five acres near Interstate 215 off the Washington/Mount Vernon exit.

“I am so proud of our congregation for what it has accomplished,” said Pastor Kermit Brazier. “It was through church offerings and community contributions that we were able to purchase this land.”

Eighteen years ago, Greater Faith Ministies was born. For the last seven years, it has met at the San Bernardino Hilton on Hospitality Lane in San Bernardino. It is starting to outgrow its current meeting place, and the congregation also feels having a Sundays-only place limits what it can do.

Ideally, Greater Faith Ministries wants a place that can be a resource for those in need. It already considers helping the less fortunate its greatest ministry, Pastor Brazier said.

“The community is the church,” he said. “Our mission is to feed, clothe and shelter the community, and to teach them the principles of the word of God; to care for those who have nothing until they are able to function on their own.”

The church has helped a number of people on a case-by-case basis. But when it moves to its own building in Colton, Pastor Brazier would like to be able to add to that ministry. He won’t develop any specific projects until he meets with Colton city leaders to discuss his ideas, but knows he’d like the new ministry to include creating jobs for people.

He also will have to discuss the church building itself with Colton officials. Now that the property is purchased, the next step is for the church to hire an architect who will work with the city to develop plans for the new church. Only after the city approves these plans, and the church raises money to cover building costs, can construction begin.

But if all goes well, by 2011 the growing and faithful congregation will be blessed with a beautiful new church, and Colton will be blessed with a great resource for helping the area’s less fortunate.

For more information, call Pastor Brazier at (909) 354-1276.

HIGH SCHOOL CULINARIANS TO HOLD STATE LEVEL COMPETITION

Alejandro Martinez, the outgoing state vice president of California FHA-HERO, gives a plaque of appreciation to Chef Eyad Joseph, academic director of the International Culinary School at the Art Institute of California-Inland Empire. The International Culinary School hosted the Professional Food Cooking portion of the FHA-HERO state championship competition Sunday, April 13.

(SAN BERNARDINO, Calif.) FHA-HERO, an organization for high school students interested in careers in home economics-related fields, will hold a state level competition in commercial food preparation Sunday, April 13 at the International Culinary School at the Art Institute of California-Inland Empire.

The California Association of FHA-HERO will hold this competition from about 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. This, and 20 other competitions being held the same day in Riverside, is part of the 2008 California Association FHA-HERO State Leadership Meeting scheduled for April 12-15 in Riverside.

“FHA-HERO provides students with the opportunity to gain leadership, citizenship and career skills,” said Janice DeBenedetti, state FHA-HERO advisor. “We are pleased to have the assistance of the staff of the Art Institute of California-Inland Empire in showcasing and rewarding the talents of some of the top high school chefs in the state.”

Students who will be competing in the Commercial Food Event at the Art Institute of California-Inland Empire are enrolled in either Culinary Arts or Food Service and Hospitality programs at their high schools, DeBenedetti said These programs introduce them to careers in the food service or hospitality industry, and they could further their training at a college such as the International Culinary School.

Student competitors will demonstrate their knowledge and skills using appropriate food service procedures and tools, as well as work habits measuring up to industry standards.

The other state final competitions being held Sunday take place at the Riverside Convention Center, Marriott Hotel and the Mission Inn. These include other food-related competitions, as well as competitions in clothing, child development, hospitality, tourism and recreation, interior design, and other areas.

Also to be held in Riverside, at the Convention Center, are a banquet on Monday, April 14 and an awards ceremony/installation of officers on Tuesday, April 15.

FHA-HERO is the co-curricular leadership and career development component of the Home Economics Careers and Technology (HECT) educational program in California. More than 300,000 students are annually enrolled in HECT programs throughout the state. FHA-HERO provides students with the opportunity to gain leadership, citizenship and career skills. FHA-HERO is coordinated and sponsored by the HECT Education Staff of the California Department of Education.

The Art Institute of California – Inland Empire offers Bachelor of Science degrees in Game Art & Design, Culinary Management, Graphic Design, Web Design & Interactive Media, Interior Design, Fashion and Retail Management and Media Arts & Animation. There are also Associate of Science degrees in Graphic Design and Culinary Arts. Each program is offered on a year-round basis, allowing students to work uninterrupted toward their degrees.

It’s not too late to start classes. Courses begin May 8, with offerings in the days, evenings and on weekends for new and reentry students. For details or a tour of the campus call (909) 915-2100, or go on line to artinstitutes.edu/inlandempire.

The Art Institute of California – Inland Empire is one of The Art Institutes (artinstitutes.edu) with 40 educational institutions throughout North America providing an important source of design, media arts, fashion and culinary arts professionals.



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Catch Chef Joseph Tonight at Tuesday at 8:30 PM - Inland Empire Focus from on NewsTalk 590 KTIE AM

Chef Eyad Joseph, the culinary director of The International Culinary School at The Art Institute of California - Inland Empire (back right) will be the guest with Bill Anthony (back left) and Clifford Cummings tonight, Tuesday at 8:30 PM - Inland Empire Focus from on NewsTalk 590 KTIE AM.