Canada's first Le Cordon Bleu scholarship offers $30,000 prize to passionate, aspiring culinary talent

OTTAWA, Feb. 26, 2015 /CNW/ - A new scholarship worth more than $30,000 could heat up the career of a passionate, aspiring culinary talent. The prestigious Le Cordon Bleu Ottawa Culinary Arts Institute, along with Restaurants Canada and Canada's Best 100 Restaurants, today launched the Passion for Excellence Scholarship Competition.

Modelled after a successful program in the U.K., the scholarship is being launched for the first time in Canada to mark the 120^th anniversary of Le Cordon Bleu. This national scholarship is open to Restaurants Canada members and their employees, no matter their current job title. The grand prize includes:

• A fully funded, nine-month placement in the coveted Diplôme de Cuisine program at Le Cordon Bleu Ottawa Culinary Arts Institute
• A paid internship under the guidance of Chef Yannick Anton, the esteemed chef of the renowned Le Cordon Bleu Signatures restaurant in Ottawa. The internship is concurrent with study and offers $5,000 in remuneration.

Information and application forms are available at www.chefscholarship.ca. Applicants must fill out an application form, answer industry-related questions and submit a two-minute video. The deadline to apply is July 31. 

A panel of culinary experts will choose three regional finalists in August, and they will be flown to Ottawa to compete for the grand prize in November, 2015.  The winner will begin his or her studies in the spring of 2016.

"We look forward to leading the successful applicant on a journey of discovery and creativity that will last a lifetime," says Andre J. Cointreau, President of Le Cordon Bleu and based in Paris. "Our heritage is shared across such prestigious locations as Paris, Ottawa, London, Tokyo, Shanghai and Sydney.  We want to share our knowledge and passion for the culinary arts, hospitality and management education."

"Every day across this country, restaurateurs and chefs are teaching and mentoring the culinary leaders of tomorrow," says Donna Dooher, interim President and CEO of Restaurants Canada, as well as a chef and restaurateur herself. "The Le Cordon Bleu Scholarship is an exceptional opportunity for a deserving employee to take the next big step in their culinary training, and Restaurants Canada is thrilled to be a part of it."

Le Cordon Bleu was founded in 1895 and is celebrating 120 years as the world's leading school for providing classical culinary, food, wine, restaurant, hotel and management education. Every year over 20,000 students from more than 70 countries are trained in Le Cordon Bleu institutes, which operate in approximately 60 campuses in more than 20 countries. 

Restaurants Canada is a national association comprising 30,000 businesses in every segment of the foodservice industry.  Through advocacy, research, and member programs and services, Restaurants Canada is dedicated to helping its members in every community grow and prosper. 

SOURCE Restaurants Canada

Media Contacts: Le Cordon Bleu Ottawa Culinary Arts Institute: Lawrence Kelly, Marketing Manager, 613-806-6529, [email protected]; Restaurants Canada: Prasanthi Vasanthakumar, Communications Specialist, 416-649-4254, [email protected]