Culinary students representing 73 schools across the U.S. and Canada vied for a coveted spot at the 10th annual S.Pellegrino^TM Almost Famous Chef^SM 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.Pellegrino^TM Almost Famous Chef^SM Competition
For centuries, Acqua Panna^TM Natural Spring Water and S.Pellegrino^TMTM 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. ###