The International Culinary Schools at The Art Institutes are summoning the best teen chefs across the U.S. and Canada to showcase their culinary talents in The Art Institutes Best Teen Chef Competition 2010.

The top prize winner will earn a full-tuition scholarship toward a bachelor’s degree, associate’s degree, certificate program or diploma program to study culinary arts at one of the more than 30 participating Art Institutes schools.

Now in its eleventh year, The Art Institutes Best Teen Chef Competition awards more than $200,000 in tuition scholarships to The Art Institutes schools to high school seniors in the U.S. and Canada (excluding Quebec) interested in pursuing a career in the fast growing culinary industry.

Local cook-off competitions will take place at participating locations of The International Culinary Schools at The Art Institutes on April 17, 2010.

First place local winners will progress to the National Best Teen Chef Final Round Competition, which will be held on Saturday, May 15, 2010 at The Art Institute of Houston.

In addition to a full-tuition scholarship and the title of Best Teen Chef 2010, the national first place winner will be an “Intern for a Day” at Food Network Kitchens in New York City. The winner will also receive a tour of Food Network’s studios, dinner for two at a Food Network chef’s restaurant and a library of Food Network Kitchens cookbooks.

“It’s great to see the passion and enthusiasm for food in the eyes of the Best Teen Chef competitors,” says Chef Michael Nenes, Assistant Vice President of Culinary Arts for The International Culinary Schools at The Art Institutes. “They have a drive, focus and an understanding of food that produces beautifully presented and great tasting results.”

To be eligible to enter the competition, high school seniors must first submit a completed Entry & Release Form by February 5, 2010 to a participating International Culinary Schools at The Art Institutes location where they wish to enter the competition. Deadline for complete entries into the competition is February 26, 2010.

To learn how to enter the Best Teen Chef Competition 2010 and view full details, visit http://www.artinstitutes.edu/pr.aspx?ID=ai1017.