Johnson & Wales University Culinary Arts Alumni Take Over Television

NORTH MIAMI, Fla., Oct. 3, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Alumni from Johnson & Wales University's College of Culinary Arts are no strangers to the pressures and rewards of a kitchen, but many are achieving considerable success in the entertainment industry. Last week, JWU alumnus Paul Niedermann '07 was crowned the latest winner of FOX's Hell's Kitchen. Last week, JWU's North Miami Campus welcomed back its alumnus Niedermann for a viewing party for the season finale, where he celebrated his victory with over 130 friends, family and JWU students at the private gathering. Niedermann's victory includes being named head chef of the world-renowned BLT Steak in New York City.

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In addition to television legends and JWU grads Emeril Lagasse and Tyler Florence, numerous other JWU alumni have been visible on television, including several from the university's North Miami Campus. Chef Kevin Sbraga was the Season 7 winner of Top Chef, Washington D.C., where he stunned audiences with his incredible culinary skills. Chef Michelle Bernstein made her public TV appearance as co-host of the Food Network series Melting Pot and battled Bobby Flay on Iron Chef America, where she emerged victorious. A guest judge on Top Chef and the host of Check Please!, Bernstein has shown that a degree from JWU opens the doors for many opportunities. Another notable North Miami campus graduate, Chef Lorena Garcia, is a well known culinary television personality. She traded her law papers for a culinary degree and has gone on to become one of the leading Latina chefs on television. She has secured numerous roles as a host or investor on a variety of shows including, Vida Gourmet, Co/cine Mun2, NBC's The Biggest Loser, and America's Next Great Restaurant.

Successful JWU alumni on television is by no means limited to just the university's North Miami Campus. Alumni from JWU Campuses across the country have been recognized for their talent and break-out success, including:

• Shehu Fitzgerald, winner of Chopped in May 2011
• Rahman "Rock" Harper, winner of Hell's Kitchen
• Chris Cosentino, star of Food Network's Chefs vs. City and competitor on The Next Iron Chef
• Ben Roche, host of Future Food on Planet Green
• Scott Leibfried, host and participant on Hell's Kitchen and Food Network Challenge

The list continues as more graduates leave JWU in order to pursue successful careers in the expanding culinary and foodservice industries.

About Johnson & Wales University

Johnson & Wales University (JWU), founded in 1914, is a nonprofit, private institution. A recognized leader in career education, we offer accredited degrees in business, hospitality, culinary arts, technology and education. With a diverse student body of more than 17,000 graduate and undergraduate students, representing all 50 states and 93 countries, JWU prepares graduates for personal and professional success by integrating rigorous academics and professional skills, community leadership opportunities, and our unique career education model. The university is committed to urban revitalization and thoughtful historic renovation. Through active civic participation and by offering unique learning opportunities, JWU improves the quality of life in its campus communities in Providence, R.I.; North Miami, Fla.; Denver, Colo.; and Charlotte, N.C. For more information, visit www.jwu.edu.

SOURCE Johnson & Wales University