S.Pellegrino Almost Famous Chef Title Earned by Culinary Arts Student for Second Consecutive Year
S.Pellegrino Almost Famous Chef Title Earned by a Kendall College School of Culinary Arts Student for Second Consecutive Year
Jennifer Kim continues winning record by taking top honors at 10th-annual national competition in Napa Valley
Chicago—March 13, 2012—Kendall College School of Culinary Arts student Jennifer Kim won the 10th-annual S.Pellegrino® Almost Famous Chef® competition held in Napa Valley, Calif., March 11. This is the fourth time that a Kendall College student has won the national competition, which is a record, and the second consecutive win by a student enrolled at the school. More than 70 students competed at the regional level; Kim was up against nine finalists in Napa for top honors. Her win was the culmination of five months of preparation, training and coaching from Kendall chef-instructors Michel Coutrieux, Benjamin Browning and Tom Meyer.
Kim, 28, takes home $13,000 for her winning signature dish, Chard-Rolled Duck Roulade. She also receives a once-in-a-lifetime career opportunity: a yearlong paid apprenticeship with the participating chef judge of her choice. Kim also won the Mystery Basket competition.
“I am speechless, and this is a dream come true—to be chosen as the winner of a culinary competition of this caliber by some of the best chefs in the nation,” says Kim, a native of Schaumburg, Ill., who will graduate from Kendall with an A.A.S. in Culinary Arts later this month. “I’m honored and ready for my career to begin with one of the chef mentors.”
Actress Lorraine Bracco and TV chef personality Ralph Pagano hosted the powerful three-day competition that was judged by Michelin-star and James Beard Award-winning chefs Gary Danko of Restaurant GARY DANKO, San Francisco; Jean Joho of Everest and the Paris Club, Chicago, Brasserie Jo, Boston, and The Eiffel Tower Restaurant, Las Vegas; Bob Hurley of Hurley’s Restaurant & Bar, Napa Valley; Susur Lee of LEE, Toronto, and SHANG, New York; Tony Mantuano of Spiaggia, Chicago, and Mangia Trattoria, Kenosha, Wis.; Michel Richard of Citronelle and Central, Washington, D.C.; and Eric Ripert of Le Bernardin and West End Bistro, New York, 10 Arts, Philadelphia, and Blue in the Cayman Islands.
“I could not be prouder of Jennifer!” says Christopher Koetke, C.E.C., C.C.E., vice president of the Kendall College School of Culinary Arts and Laureate Universities International Center of Excellence in Culinary Arts, who was on hand in Napa Valley to support Kim as she took the national title. “Jennifer worked very hard and made many personal sacrifices to compete. Watching her win was a tribute to her enormous talent and drive, and the excellent education she’s receiving at Kendall. The 2012 Almost Famous competition is only the beginning; we will be hearing much more about Jennifer as her career takes off.”
For more information on the competition and to view Kim’s biography and winning recipe, visit www.almostfamouschef.com. To become a fan on Facebook, visit www.facebook.com/almostfamouschef.
About the Kendall College School of Culinary Arts:
Kendall College, founded in 1934, is located in Chicago, Illinois. Kendall offers undergraduate degrees in business, culinary arts, early childhood education and hospitality management to a diverse and passionate community of more than 2200 students. The curriculum combines strong academics with practical experience and international educational opportunities that help give students in business, hospitality and culinary arts programs the skills and expertise to be leaders in their professions. Kendall College was ranked the number one program in Chicago for preparing students for careers in hospitality management and culinary arts in a survey of management at Chicago’s leading hotels and Michelin Guide restaurants (ORC International - 2011 Survey). The American Culinary Federation Education Foundation Accrediting Commission has accredited the Culinary Arts associate program since 1988 and the Baking and Pastry associate program since 2008. Kendall College, a member of the Laureate International Universities network, is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission and is a member of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools (NCA), www.ncahlc.org.
Media Contacts:
Amber Cerda, 312-752-2472, amber.cerda@kendall.edu
