AIWF/LOS ANGELES ANNOUNCES $60,000 DONATION

TO SUPPORT CULINARY EDUCATION

--Contribution To Support C-CAP Los Angeles Program

Providing Underserved Students With Scholarships To Culinary Schools—

LOS ANGELES, November 2007—American Institute of Wine and Food (AIWF) announced $60,000 in contributions awarded this year to support the Careers through Culinary Arts Program (C-CAP) Los Angeles Scholarship Fund.  The contributions are earmarked for annual scholarships for students enrolled in C-CAP Los Angeles, attending high schools in the Los Angeles Unified School District.

The donation funds two special scholarships to be awarded annually until the fund is depleted. C-CAP Los Angeles will award $5,000 from the AIWF Jeannie Komsky Scholarship Fund and $5,000 from the AIWF Lois Dwan Scholarship Fund.

“In today’s competitive workplace, culinary school is increasingly important in preparing young people for success in the workforce,” said Tom Potter, Executive Director of American Institute of Wine & Food (AIWF).  “I’m proud that we can partner with C-CAP to provide funding that will help disadvantaged students attend culinary schools and give them an educational experience that will benefit them on their road to careers in the foodservice industry.”

AIWF members have supported C-CAP programs across the country including Los Angeles, New York and Chicago.  The Los Angeles Chapter of AIWF has partnered with C-CAP since 1996 when Mitzie Cutler, an AIWF board member, started volunteering to help C-CAP.  Mitzie, now C-CAP’s Director, strengthened the partnership over the years involving members of AIWF in C-CAP events. Over the years, AIWF members have acted as judges for C-CAP competitions, provided training for teachers and students, and offered scholarships to help graduates with their college tuition. 

According to Mr. Potter, “this is one of the largest donations any AIWF chapter has ever made in a single year.” He continues, “Many of the students receiving C-CAP Scholarships are the first in their families to attend college. The skills training, scholarships, and college and career advising services provided by C-CAP help these underserved high school students achieve great success at school and in the workplace.”

In June 2007, the first four students to benefit from the contribution included Johanna Aleman, recipient of a $2,000 Jeannie Komsky Scholarship, Amber Jones, recipient of a $3,000 Jeannie Komsky Scholarship, Vanessa Perez, recipient of a $3,000 Lois Dwan Scholarship, and Kara Wymer, recipient of a $2,000 Lois Dwan Scholarship Fund.

C-CAP Los Angeles currently partners with 31 high schools in the Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD) and in surrounding areas. Established in Los Angeles in 1994, it has since awarded over $3,000,000 in scholarships and now serves over 4,500 culinary students each year.

About AIWF:

ABOUT C-CAP:

The Careers through Culinary Arts Program (C-CAP) works with public schools across the nation to prepare underserved high school students for college and career opportunities in the restaurant and hospitality industry.  A national nonprofit, C-CAP manages the largest independent high school culinary scholarship program in the United States. Since 1990, C-CAP has awarded students $22.2 million in scholarships and donated $2.2 million worth of supplies and equipment to classrooms.

C-CAP provides training and curriculum enrichment programs including:

Teacher Training; Scholarships and Cooking Competitions; Job Shadows, Job Training, Internships, and Career Advising; College Advising and College 101; and Product Donations.

In the 2006-07 academic year, C-CAP served 266 high school teachers in 204 public schools to enhance the education and employment opportunities of the 22,603 students enrolled in their classes. C-CAP donated $278,960 worth of supplies and equipment to the participating schools, offered college and career advising to 1,450 students, and awarded a record-breaking $3.65 million in scholarships.

C-CAP operates in seven locations: New York; Los Angeles; Chicago; Philadelphia; Hampton Roads, VA; Washington, D.C.; and Arizona. 

For more information about C-CAP, visit www.ccapinc.org.

 Amber Jones

      Joanna Aleman             

   Kara Marie Wymer

                                            Vanessa Perez