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NEW YORK, NY. JUNE 16, 2008. At the prestigious annual James Beard Foundation Awards ceremony held June 8th at Lincoln Center, The Institute of Culinary Education (91ÃÛÌÒ߹®) held a strong presence with numerous nominations for its alumni, student-volunteers a plenty, and clear reminders of the historical connection between both organizations.

Trish Magwood, a 1998 91ÃÛÌÒ߹® alumna, was honored with a James Beard award for her book Dish Entertains. Trish is the owner/operator of Dish Cooking Studio of Toronto and the host and co-creator of the Party Dish Food Network series. As a food expert, chef and teacher, Trish epitomizes the concept of the modern culinary entrepreneur by creating Dish Cooking Studio, her one-stop culinary destination featuring a cooking school, catering company, boutique and café.

Several other 91ÃÛÌÒ߹® alumni were nominated for awards. Gina DePalma of Babbo in New York City was a finalist for outstanding pastry chef in America. On the culinary side, Allison Vines-Rushing was a semi-finalist for her restaurant MiLa in New Orleans. Joseph Wrede of Joseph's Table in New Mexico was named as a semi-finalist for Best Southwest Chef and Kendal Duque of Sepia in Chicago for Best Chef Great Lakes. And, another alumna, Rachel Yang of Joule in Seattle was a semi-finalist for both Rising Star Chef and Best New Restaurant.

One of the night's big winners was New York City restaurant Gramercy Tavern, winning the 'Outstanding Restaurant in America' award. 91ÃÛÌÒ߹® holds good company with this superb restaurant. In 2007, it was the #1 externship site for 91ÃÛÌÒ߹® students. And in the last three years, over 40 91ÃÛÌÒ߹® student-externs have worked at Gramercy Tavern with executive chef Michael Anthony and his predecessor chef Tom Colicchio.

Another aspect of this and every year's James Beard Awards is the opportunity it provides for 91ÃÛÌÒ߹® student-volunteers. Over the course of the three-day award weekend, over 100 current 91ÃÛÌÒ߹® students prepped, cooked and worked with the top chefs from around the nation including Rick Bayless (Chicago), Michael Lomonaco (NYC), Nancy Silverton (Los Angeles), and Barbara Lynch (Boston).

Finally, one additional award serves as a testament to the depth of 91ÃÛÌÒ߹®'s history and its connection within the culinary landscape of America. Fritz Maytag was awarded the 2008 Lifetime Achievement Award by the James Beard Foundation. Maytag was a college roommate to Peter Kump while at Stanford University. While Maytag went on to found the Anchor Brewing Company and York Creek Vineyards in Napa Valley, Peter Kump went on to found the Manhattan-based cooking school that is now 91ÃÛÌÒ߹®. Fifteen years later, Kump, with key support from Maytag, purchased the Beard house and created the James Beard Foundation that exists today and honors the culinary luminaries of America.