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2/10/2006

CLEARWATER, FL (February 10, 2006) – Prepare your stomach for a good cause. The Second Annual
Pinellas Culinary Student Invitational Competition takes place on Wednesday, February 22, at the Largo Cultural Center at 8 a.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.

“Last year the judges did not know what to expect from the students. They were very impressed with the skills and talents of the students,” notes Dannette Lynch, Director of Hospitality Education for the St. Petersburg/Clearwater Area Convention & Visitors Bureau. “New this year is the Ryan Wells Humanitarian
Award named in memory of a Tarpon Springs High School student who lost his life while traveling to a culinary competition.”

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.

“One of the fastest growing industries in the state is the hospitality industry. It is estimated that more than 10,000 new positions will need to be filled within the next 4 years. This competition brings awareness to this
need in the tourism industry, the number one industry in Pinellas County,” remarked Carole Ketterhagen Executive Director of the St. Petersburg/Clearwater Area CVB.

An awards luncheon to benefit the program presented by the Largo Cultural Center will immediately follow the event at 12:30 p.m. Cost for the luncheon is $20 per person, a table of eight for $150. All proceeds of the event help fund the culinary programs at all the participating schools.

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, convention, conference, sports and film production destination.

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