S. Pellegrino Almost Famous Chef Finales Broadcast Live March 11, 2012

Broadcast live on Facebook – Join in Napa in our “Live Event” tab! Starting Sunday, March 11th at 5:30pm PST, you’ll be able to tune into the livestream broadcast, vote for the “Acqua Panna Fan Favorite Award”, see highlights from the weekend’s events and best of all, see the live winner announcement of 2012 S.Pellegrino Almost Famous Chef Champion. https://www.facebook.com/AlmostFamousChef?sk=app_339205312786126

Culinary students representing 73 schools across the U.S. and Canada vied for a coveted spot at the 10th annual S.PellegrinoTM Almost Famous ChefSM Competition in Napa Valley in March. It started in January with 10 regional events and culminates March 9-12 at The Culinary Institute of America at Greystone in Napa Valley, California.  This one-of-kind competition allows students to gain unparalleled career-launching mentorships from some of the world’s premier chefs and media influencers.
The finalists are:
Jennifer Kim NORTH CENTRAL Kendall College Chard-Rolled Duck Roulade
Paul Terrebonne SOUTH CENTRAL Nicholls State University – Chef John Folse Culinary Institute Snapper Lafourche
Joseph Johnson WEST Le Cordon Bleu College of Culinary Arts  Los Angeles Ras El Hanout Crusted Lamb
Daniela Molettieri CANADIAN Institut de tourisme et d’hôtellerie du Québec Fillet of Veal Stuffed with Wild Mushrooms, Butternut Squash and Roasted Hazelnut Puree, Mix of Québec Vegetables
Daniel Beal MOUNTAIN Johnson & Wales University – Denver Sauté Chicken Breast with Asparagus, Potato and Ox Tongue
Eliakim John Acuna SOUTH Le Cordon Bleu College of Culinary Arts Miami D’ Oceana
Geoffrey S. Lanez NEW ENGLAND Johnson & Wales University – Providence Pan Fried Halibut with Pistachio Crust
Jane Harris MID-ATLANTIC Stratford University Korean Bibimbap
Christopher Ravanello NORTHEAST The French Culinary Institute Braised Short Ribs with Sweet Potato Puree and Celery Root/Apple Foam
Helen Hayes SOUTHEAST The Culinary Institute of Charleston at Trident Technical College Thai Inspired Halibut with Sautéed Shrimp & Coconut Rice

Throughout the past decade, the S.Pellegrino Almost Famous Chef Competition has partnered with more than 340 award-winning chefs representing close to 400 restaurants. These chefs have judged and mentored the 580 past competitors, helping to launch their culinary careers. This year Michelin Star and James Beard Award-winning chef Eric Ripert of NYC’s *Le Bernanrdin* and Five Star Diamond Award winner Susur Lee of Lee Restaurant, in Toronto, will join returning chefs: Chicago’s Tony Mantuano of *Spiaggia*Michel Richard of DC’s *Citronelle*Gary Danko of San Francisco’s *Restaurant GARY DANKO* and Chef Jean Joho of*Everest* in Chicago.

In celebration of its 10th year, the S.Pellegrino Almost Famous Chef Competition will bring back all nine of the past winners to the finals event on March 9-12, 2012, at The Culinary Institute of America at Greystone in Napa Valley, California. Past winners will work alongside the esteemed judge panel to mentor the 10 finalists throughout the three days of fierce competition. All finals competitors will be evaluated in three competition categories: the Mystery Basket, Signature Dish and People’s Choice.

The highly intense, star-powered weekend will culminate with the announcement of the 2012 S.PellegrinoAlmost Famous Chef. This exciting event will be broadcast live via the Almost Famous Chef Competition Facebook fan page, http://www.facebook.com/AlmostFamousChef, where viewers can vote for their favorite competitor and ask questions of the celebrity chef panel as they watch all the excitement unfold. The overall winner will take the title, up to $22,000 in prizes and a career-changing apprenticeship with a master chef.

For more information on the S.Pellegrino brand and the competition, visit www.almostfamouschef.com, become a fan on Facebook, or follow the competition on Twitter at AFChefComp.

About the S.PellegrinoTM Almost Famous ChefSM Competition
For centuries, Acqua PannaTM Natural Spring Water and S.PellegrinoTMTM Sparkling Natural Mineral Water have complemented fine food, wine and the dining occasion. In support of this passion for gastronomy and their commitment to the culinary arts, the S.Pellegrino Almost Famous Chef Competition was founded in 2002 as a mentoring program that connects top culinary students with established chefs and influential media. Since then, this program has helped to launch hundreds of culinary careers and refined the skills of a new generation of chefs. Through the Almost Famous Chef Competition, student chefs are given the opportunity to gain unmatched experience, while cooking in some of the most prestigious kitchens in the world. ###