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Orlando Culinary Academy Announces Winners Of Prestigious Panier DU Marche Competition

Orlando (January 9, 2009) - On December 6, Orlando Culinary Academy (OCA) hosted the Panier du Marché Cuisine Culinary Scholarship Competition. Scholarship winners included first place winner Nicole Lind, a 2009 graduate of Ridgeview High School, from Middleburg, FL, second place winner Camilo Velasco, a 2009 graduate of Gateway High School, from Kissimmee, FL and third place winner Robert McCready III, a 2009 graduate of Osceola High School, also from Kissimmee, FL.

The Panier du Marché Cuisine, or Cuisine Market Basket, competition was open to future students of all ages of Orlando Culinary Academy. Students must have enrolled by October 20 to attend OCA, but have not started school at any Le Cordon Bleu Schools North America location prior to the date of the competition.

Candidates submitted online entry forms that were reviewed by an OCA committee consisting of a Chef Instructor, a Department Chair and/or other faculty member. The Committee selected ten finalists based on the completed applications that included all requested information and essays that passionately demonstrated interest, desire and passion for wanting to become a chef.

On competition day, the ten finalists were required to present two identical plates consisting of a protein, starch, vegetable, sauce and garnish using only the ingredients provided in the "Panier du Marché" (market basket). OCA supplied the needed pots, pans, cutting boards and plates for presentation, but finalists were responsible for bringing any additional hand tools needed, such as knives. Finalists had a total of 1 hour 30 minutes to cook their entrée and an additional 15 minutes for plating and service. Each finalist was judged on the following criteria: 20% Cooking Technique, 20% Kitchen Organization, Safety & Sanitation and 60% Presentation, Taste and Timing.

Each of the ten finalists selected received a monogrammed Chefs Jacket, a professional grade knife, a gift certificate for culinary books and a Certificate of Merit for achievement and participation. $1,500, $1,000 and $500 scholarships were awarded to the three winners for use towards tuition at OCA.

"We were so pleased by the impressive skills of our ten future chef finalists," said Joe Hardiman, president of Orlando Culinary Academy. "OCA is proud to be the home of so many talented chef instructors, highly-skilled students and our 2008 Panier du Marche competition."

About Orlando Culinary Academy
Established in 2002, Orlando Culinary Academy is a premier culinary arts school, providing Le Cordon Bleu training in a hands-on, small classroom environment. Orlando Culinary Academy offers specialized Associate Degrees in Le Cordon Bleu Pâtisserie and Baking and Le Cordon Bleu Culinary Arts. Orlando Culinary Academy is an affiliate of Le Cordon Bleu Schools North America, one of the largest providers of quality culinary arts education. Few institutions possess the distinguished reputation of Le Cordon Bleu, the renowned cooking school with Parisian roots dating back to 1895. The campus is over 30,000 square feet, equipped with computer labs and instructional, industry current kitchens and located close to downtown Orlando. Orlando Culinary Academy is a member of the Career Education Corporation (NASDAQ:CECO) network of universities, colleges and schools. For more information, please call 407-888-4000 or log on to: www.orlandoculinary.com.

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