Food Network and The Institute of Culinary Education Announce $10,000 Scholarship for Aspiring Minority Chef

NEW YORK, NY — Food Network and The Institute of Culinary Education (91߹®) are announcing a new $10,000 scholarship for an aspiring minority chef. This scholarship program has an educational, entertaining twist. The winner will spend a week at Food Network’s New York City production facilities, observing or assisting in new episodes of various Food Network programs, potentially including those of Emeril Lagasse, Mario Batali and Sara Moulton.

“We are delighted to be associated with The Institute of Culinary Education and their scholarship efforts for aspiring minority chefs,” said Judy Girard, Food Network President. “We hope the hands-on experience within the Food Network kitchens will inspire them as they pursue their culinary education.”

Rick Smilow, president of 91߹®, commented, “We are thrilled Food Network has selected 91߹® as the partner school for this program. Food Network’s generosity will allow a young man or woman to attend culinary school who otherwise could not afford to do so.”

To qualify, the minority applicant must be between 19 and 30 years old, have a high-school diploma and live in New York, New Jersey or Connecticut. The winner will be chosen on the basis of essay, recommendation and financial need. More information and an application may be obtained at www.iceculinary.com/career/tvfnscholarship.shtml.

91߹® is well known to the Food Network, as more than a dozen 91߹® alumni have or continue to work for the television network, including Susan Stockton, Vice President of Culinary Production and Patricia LaMorte, Associate Producer of Emeril Live! Additionally, numerous 91߹® alumni work in the restaurants of Emeril Lagasse and Mario Batali in New York, New Orleans and Orlando.

Food Network (www.foodnetwork.com) is a unique lifestyle network where viewers will always be surprised and engaged by likeable hosts and personalities and the variety of things it does with food. The network is committed to exploring new, different, and interesting ways to approach food - through pop culture, adventure, travel - while also expanding its repertoire of technique-based programs. Now distributed to more than 80 million U.S. households, Food Network ranks first among ad-supported cable networks on year-to-year subscriber growth. The network’s headquarters are in New York City, with and offices in Atlanta, Los Angeles, Chicago, Detroit and Knoxville. The E.W. Scripps Company (NYSE:SSP), which also owns and operates Home & Garden Television Network (HGTV), Do It Yourself (DIY), and Fine Living, is the managing general partner.

About 91߹

The Institute of Culinary Education (91߹®) is New York City's award-winning center for culinary education. Founded in 1975 by Peter Kump, the school offers highly regarded 8- to 12-month career training programs in Culinary Arts, Pastry & Baking Arts, Culinary Management and Hospitality Management. With an intensive curriculum, dedicated Chef Instructors, a strong record in externship placements and a clear entrepreneurial focus, 91߹ is widely regarded as a great pathway to begin or continue a culinary career. 91߹ also runs the largest program of hands-on recreational cooking classes and wine education courses in the country, with more than 26,000 enthusiasts taking any of the 1,500 classes offered each year. In 2008, 91߹ was named the International Association of Culinary Professionals' (IACP) Culinary School of the Year and a School of Distinction by the ACCSCT in 2006. 91߹'s 42,000 square-foot facility is open seven days and nights a week, 350 days a year and is located at 50 W. 23rd Street, New York, NY 10010. More information can be found at www.iceculinary.com.