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11/28/2006

CLEARWATER, FL (November 28, 2006) – Like the anticipation of a good holiday dinner the wait for the third edition of the Pinellas Culinary Student Invitational Competition is almost over. Seductive smells, to tingle your taste buds, delightful desserts and wonderful centerpieces will all be on display on Wednesday, December 6, at the Largo Cultural Center from 8:30 a.m-12:30 p.m. Local culinary arts students
from Northeast, Osceola and Tarpon Springs High School as well as the Pinellas Technical Education Center (PTEC) Clearwater showcase their skills at the competition. Each campus offers culinary programs and will compete in this event.

“It is amazing how in just a few short years the quality of the competition has grown,” notes Dannette Lynch, Director of Hospitality Education for the St. Petersburg/Clearwater Area Convention & Visitors Bureau. “This
competition allows students to prepare for competitions where they have the opportunity to earn scholarships to culinary schools.”

Following the competition will be an awards luncheon. Cost for the luncheon is $20 per person, a table of eight for $150. Monies raised from attendance at the luncheon donated by Cracker Barrel, will got to purchase food products so the students may continue to have hands on education.

The St. Petersburg/Clearwater Area Convention & Visitors Bureau’s Hospitality Education Department, the Pinellas County School System and the Pinellas County Restaurant Association created the culinary program to educate, encourage and expose students to careers in the culinary arts industry.

Eight students will participate per school in categories of main entree, dessert and edible centerpiece. All judges are prominent chefs from the area. The goal of this event is to introduce industry partners to their future
workforce and to support an event that directly impacts culinary education by funding the food products used in the classroom. The competition will be judged on four criteria: flavor, presentation, utilization of product and sanitation. Students hope to gain program recognition, curriculum development, form industry partnerships and practice for state competitions.

“This competition brings awareness to the need of skilled workers in the tourism industry, the largest industry in the state of Florida and in Pinellas County,” remarked Carole Ketterhagen Executive Director of the St. Petersburg/Clearwater Area CVB.

MEDIA CONTACT: James Raulerson, St. Petersburg/Clearwater Area Convention & Visitors Bureau
800-822-6461 or 727-464-7223; Fax 727-533-2192; jamesr@floridasbeach.com

The St. Petersburg/Clearwater Area Convention & Visitors Bureau is the countywide tourism
management and marketing organization responsible for developing and promotions the St.
Petersburg/Clearwater area as a leisure, business, conference, convention, sports and film production destination. The St. Petersburg/Clearwater area is the leading destination on Florida’s Gulf coast, drawing more than five million overnight visitors annually. The area is best known for record-breaking sunshine and 35 miles of spectacular beaches, including Caladesi Island State Park, ranked as the # 2 beach in America for 2006 and Fort De Soto Park, named America’s Best Beach 2005 by Dr. Beach. A variety of attractions, world-class museums, sporting activities and nature-related experiences are also readily available.

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