Drexels Culinary Arts Students Vie for a Place in the San Pellegrino Almost Famous Chef Competition

What: Two student chefs from Drexel University’s Culinary Arts program will create masterpieces for a chance to advance to the national “San Pellegrino 2008 Almost Famous Chef Competition” in Napa, California, where students compete for a chance to win $10,000, a one-year contract with San Pellegrino and an opportunity to work alongside famous chefs. Drexel is one of 10 schools in the country to be chosen for a regional competition and the only one in Philadelphia. Who: Drexel students Rachel Orner and Erik Silverman will each prepare an entrée signature dish in two hours for seven judges, along with a dish for display. Two students from the Pennsylvania Culinary Institute in Pittsburgh and two from Johnson & Wales University–Charlotte will also participate in the competition. They will be judged by renowned, cutting-edge regional chefs.When: Wednesday, February 6 from 6 to 8 p.m. (Winners will be announced at 8 p.m.) Where: The Academic Bistro, sixth floor of Drexel’s Academic Building (33rd and Arch streets)Visuals: The students heating up the stove and grill, chopping vegetables… pots atop stoves, students displaying their cooked meals on plates… the judges tasting the entrées … more than 100 guests.Entrées: Rachel Orner– Duck Confit with white bean sage puree, braised red cabbage and apples, foie gras sauce, fried leeksErik Silverman – Coriander dusted black sea bass with fennel and leek ravioli and ruby grapefruit-champagne emulsionBackground: The S. Pellegrino national contest was created in an effort to facilitate mentoring and communication between established celebrity chefs, food media and groups of top culinary students poised to enter the ultra-competitive culinary world. ### News Media Contact: Niki Gianakaris, Assistant Director, Drexel News Bureau 215-895-6741, 215-778-7752 (cell) or ngianakaris@drexel.edu