SCI Instructor Nominated for Arizona Culinary Hall of Fame

Jon-Paul Hutchins, an executive chef at Scottsdale Culinary Institute, is a nominee for induction into the Arizona Culinary Hall of Fame. Awards will be given on April 10, 2008 at the Wrigley Mansion in Scottsdale.

Hutchins is among the Culinary Ambassador nominees, awarded to chefs who promote "tourism, hotels & resorts and locations within Arizona." Winners will be announced live at the Arizona Culinary Hall of Fame Awards Dinner, held annually by the Scottsdale League for the Arts since 1992.

Executive Chef Hutchins' career at Scottsdale Culinary Institute began as an instructor. In his current position, he oversees the school's two student-run award-winning restaurants. Developing standards and curriculum at SCI are part of Hutchins' daily job.

Chef Hutchins' cooking career started as a pot scrubber when he 13 years old, long before he began working in bistros, hotels and fine dining restaurants. Hutchins has created cuisine for U.S. presidents, dignitaries and high-profile celebrities. These experiences led him to his current career as a teacher of Le Cordon Bleu cooking techniques.

In addition to his wide range of culinary experience, Hutchins has appeared on cooking segments of the "Today Show," as well as featured guest appearances on the Food Network, HGTV and ESPN. He is a regular contributor to Arizona TV and radio, serving as chef of ABC's "Sonoran Living Live" and co-host of Jan D'Atri's KFYI radio show.

Executive Chef Hutchins moved to Arizona after meeting with Scottsdale Culinary Institute's founder, Elizabeth Sherman Leite. Today, Hutchins says it was Leite's passion to create a leading culinary institution that attracted him to SCI.

Hutchins' nomination is not Scottsdale Culinary Institute's first association with Arizona Culinary Hall of Fame nominations. In 2004, Chef Silvana Salcido Esparza – a graduate of SCI – was inducted into the Arizona Culinary Hall of Fame as Chef Extraordinaire 2004.