The Art of the Plate: CIC's Helen Hayes Takes First in the Southeast Regional Almost Famous Chef Competition and CIC's Stephen Seguin Takes Second

Wednesday, February 22, 2012

CIC's Helen Hayes Takes First in the Southeast Regional Almost Famous Chef Competition and CIC's Stephen Seguin Takes Second - a CIC SWEEP!

Stephen preparing his dish.

Helen's critique.

Congrats to both Helen and Stephen Seguin for representing the CIC in this prestigious competition by taking a sweep of both first and second in the judging. With her signature dish of Thai Inspired Halibut with Sautéed Shrimp and Coconut Rice, Helen landed a spot in the finals at The Culinary Institute of America at Greystone in Napa Valley, California, March 9-12, 2012. CIC Chef Instructor Scott Stefanelli served as the CIC team mentor with assists from Chefs Ward Morgan and Kevin Mitchell.

The Southeast Regional took place at The International Culinary School at The Art Institute of Atlanta. Stephen and Helen competed against Andres Mera-Borja of Johnson and Wales University – Charlotte and Reina Shanks and Juliana Weygand of The Culinary Institute of Savannah at Savannah Technical Institute.

Judge Mentors Chefs Rathburn, Fry, and Klaskala

The judges were: Chef Kevin Rathbun (also participating as a chef mentor) of Kevin Rathbun Steak, Chef Ford Fry (chef mentor) of JCT Kitchen and Bar, Chef Gerry Klaskala (chef mentor) of Aria Restaurant, and Chef Linton Hopkins of Restaurant Eugene. Media judges were Hope S. Philbrick (freelance writer/editor), Besha Rodell of Creative Loafing Atlanta, Valerie Hoff of 11Alive and WXIA-TV and Chloe Morris of Chow Down Atlanta.
This year marks the 10th anniversary of the S.PellegrinoTM Almost Famous Chef Competition. More than 70 culinary schools and student competitors, along with renowned chefs, will take part in culinary competitions across leading markets and culinary schools in the U.S. and Canada.

FOLLOWUP: For a great blog with pictures of the mystery box competition, see:
http://www.tinyurbankitchen.com/2012/03/10th-annual-s-pellegrino-almost-famous.html

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