News: Loudoun County Football Player Wins Best Teen Chef Title, $15,000 Scholarship and Trip to National Competition in May

Arlington (Apr. 21, 2010) - Beating out six competitors, Loudoun County High School football player Jake Somerfield has been named The International Culinary School at The Art Institute of Washington’s Best Teen Chef 2010. Somerfield earned a $15,000 scholarship with the win and a trip to a national competition in Houston in May.

In April, high school seniors from across the U.S. and Canada competed in Best Teen Chef Local Cook-off Competitions at participating International Culinary Schools at The Art Institutes locations throughout North America including, The Art Institute of Washington.

The International Culinary School at The Art Institute of Washington’s Best Teen Chef Local Cook-off Competition first place winner, Somerfield hails from Leesburg and is currently a senior at Loudoun County High School where he is also a member of the varsity football team.

“I am really excited that I won first place. Cooking has been an enormous part of my life ever since I was a little kid. I want to study culinary arts at The Art Institute of Washington because I believe that it will give me the best opportunity for education and real world working experiences,” said Somerfield.

Somerfield, along with the 35 first place winners from the Local Cook-off Competition at participating Art Institutes schools will progress to Best Teen Chef Final Round Competition on Saturday, May 15, at The Art Institute of Houston.

The top prize winner in the Competition can earn a full-tuition scholarship toward a bachelor’s degree, an associate's degree, certificate program 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 2010, the national first place winner will be an "Intern for a Day" at Food Network Kitchens in New York City. The winner will also receive a tour of Food Network's 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. According to Susan Hendee, PhD, chair of Culinary Arts. The high school seniors entering the Competition show outstanding potential each year.

Hendee adds, “Their talents and skills in the kitchen are already evident and when combined with true passions for the culinary industry and an Art Institutes education makes the perfect recipe for creating great culinary professionals.”

For more information on the Best Teen Chef Competition, visit http://www.artinstitutes.edu/pr.aspx?ID=AI2113. The Art Institute of Washington is one of The Art Institutes (www.artinstitutes.edu), a system of more than 45 education institutions located throughout North America, providing an important source of design, media arts, fashion and culinary professionals.