ProStart Graduate Receives Scholarship to California Culinary Academy

CHICAGO, Oct. 3, 3011 /PRNewswire/ -- The National Restaurant Association Educational Foundation (NRAEF) is proud to announce that NRAEF ProStart alumna Jazmin Eck was awarded a full scholarship to the California Culinary Academy where she began her education this fall.  Eck was chosen for the scholarship while attending the 25th Annual NRAEF Salute to Excellence awards held on May 21, 2011.

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"The ProStart program unites industry and the classroom to create life-changing opportunities for students," said Lynette McKee, executive director of the NRAEF.  "This was brought to life at Salute to Excellence when Jazmin networked with key industry leadership from across the country and received this incredible opportunity to further her education and career development with our partners at Le Cordon Bleu."

Eck is applying her scholarship to a 12-month Baking & Patisserie certificate program at Le Cordon Bleu's San Francisco campus, California Culinary Academy. Eck recently graduated from Newport Harbor High School in Newport, Calif., and is a member of the culinary team that won first place at the 10th Annual National ProStart Invitational.

At the 25th Annual Salute to Excellence, ProStart students took center stage at the event that gathers more than 500 industry leaders to kick off the National Restaurant Association Restaurant, Hotel-Motel Show. During the opening reception, both National ProStart Invitational management and culinary winning teams mingled with guests to celebrate the industry and showcase their talents.

"When I met Jazmin at Salute to Excellence, I knew immediately that she would thrive as a Le Cordon Bleu student," said Ferdinand Metz, executive dean and chairman of the LCB National Advisory Board and Certified Master Chef. "Her passion for culinary arts and dedication to furthering her education are inspiring.  I look forward to watching her education progress and will be proud to call her a Le Cordon Bleu alumna."

As a supporter of the ProStart program for the past 10 years, Le Cordon Bleu is dedicated to helping the ProStart program foster the passion and education of those looking to pursue opportunities in the restaurant and hospitality industries.  

About ProStart

ProStart is a nationwide, two-year program for high school students that develops the best and brightest talent into tomorrow's industry leaders. From culinary techniques to management skills, ProStart's industry-driven curriculum provides real-world educational opportunities and builds practical skills and a foundation that will last a lifetime. By bringing industry and the classroom together, ProStart gives students a platform to discover new interests and talents and opens doors for fulfilling careers. It all happens through a curriculum that teaches all facets of the restaurant and foodservice industry, inspires students to succeed and sets a high standard of excellence for students and the industry. With national and local support from industry members, educators, the National Restaurant Association Educational Foundation and state restaurant associations, ProStart reaches 90,000 students nationwide. For more information on the ProStart program, visit www.prostart.restaurant.org or find us on Twitter or Facebook.

About the National Restaurant Association Educational Foundation

As the philanthropic foundation of the National Restaurant Association, the National Restaurant Association Educational Foundation (NRAEF) enhances the restaurant industry's service to the public through education, community engagement, and promotion of career opportunities. The restaurant and foodservice industry comprises 960,000 restaurant and foodservice outlets and a workforce of nearly 13 million employees, making it one of the nation's largest employers. The NRAEF is focused on working with the Association to lead America's restaurant industry into a new era of prosperity, prominence and participation by providing the valuable tools and resources needed to educate our current and incoming employees. For more information on the NRAEF, visit www.nraef.org.

About Le Cordon Bleu

Le Cordon Bleu (LCB) is one of the largest providers of quality culinary arts education worldwide. Our network of 16 schools in the United States offers culinary students a hands-on education with faculty dedicated to providing students with the necessary skills, knowledge, support and guidance to pursue fulfilling career opportunities in the culinary arts.  Le Cordon Bleu cannot guarantee employment or salary.  Find disclosures on graduation rates, student financial obligations and more at www.Chefs.edu/disclosure.  Le Cordon Bleu is a member of the Career Education Corporation (NASDAQ:CECO) network of universities, colleges and schools. For more information about Le Cordon Bleu, go to www.Chefs.edu.

Le Cordon Bleu ® and the Le Cordon Bleu logo are registered trademarks in North America of Career Education Corporation.

SOURCE Le Cordon Bleu