Student Marco Bahena wins regional S.Pellegrino Almost Famous Chef Competition
Marco Bahena and his Mediterranean lamb loin take top honors
Chicago—February 14, 2011— Marco Bahena, 21, a student enrolled in Kendall College’s School of Culinary Arts, has won the North Central Regional S.Pellegrino Almost Famous Chef competition. Bahena won the fast-paced, high-pressure cooking competition held at Kendall College on February 9, 2011. He impressed the panel of judges with his creative signature dish recipe for Mediterranean Lamb Loin with Chicken Mousseline, Olive Oil Poached Potato, Lyonnaise Salad and Sauce Foyot. Next for Bahena is the rare chance to compete at the final competition to be held at The Culinary Institute of America at Greystone in Napa Valley, Calif., March 11-14, 2011.
Bahena competed against five other students from Kendall College and other culinary schools in the North Central region in an intense competition judged by local media and celebrity chefs David Posey of Blackbird, John State of Season’s 52, and JonCarl Lachman of HB Home Bistro and Vincent. Bahena was announced the winner before an enthusiastic audience of local media, chefs and invited guests during the tasting reception.
“Winning this competition was an unbelievable experience. I am so grateful to the Kendall chef instructors who have mentored me continuously since the beginning,” says Bahena. “I’m excited to go to Napa and bring the title back to Chicago.”
Marco will be one of ten regional winners to be flown to the finals event in March where he will compete against nine other regional winners from across the United States and Canada during the three-day finals in front of a panel of food media, distinguished guests and renowned chefs. The overall winner will take the title, up to $20,000 in prizes and a paid apprenticeship from one of the participating chef judges.
“Kendall College is very proud of Marco, who is an excellent student with a promising future as a chef,” says Christopher Koetke, CCE, CHE, dean of the Kendall College School of Culinary Arts. This is the second year in row a Kendall student has won the North Central Regional S.Pellegrino Almost Famous Chef competition, and we have high hopes for a very strong performance in Napa.”
About Kendall College’s School of Culinary Arts
Founded in 1985, the School of Culinary Arts at Kendall College is among the premier culinary-training programs in the United States, offering associate and bachelor’s degrees and certificates in culinary arts as well as associate degrees and certificates in baking and pastry. The school occupies a stunning “Riverworks” campus near downtown Chicago. The American Culinary Federation Education Foundation Accrediting Commission has accredited the Culinary Arts Associate program since 1988 and the Baking & Pastry Associate program since 2008. Kendall, which celebrated its 75th anniversary in 2009, also operates Schools of Hospitality Management, Business and Education. Kendall College is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission and a member of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools (NCA), www.ncahlc.org, 1-312-263-0456. Kendall College is a member of the Laureate International Universities network.
See pictures from the event
Media Contacts:
Amber Cerda, 312-752-2472, acerda@kendall.edu
Maria Alexandra Velez, 312-752-2088, mvelez@kendall.edu
