The Institute of Culinary Education (ICE) announced the launch of the 2017 #CulinaryVoice Scholarship Challenge. Following 1.1 million worldwide votes and the record success of the 2015 #CulinaryVoice Scholarship Challenge, ICE is now granting even more scholarships—this time 18 scholarships totaling more than $212,000—in its search for the next generation of culinary talent.
For 2017's challenge, ICE partnered with celebrity chefs and food stars Marcus Samuelsson, Ted Allen, Donatella Arpaia and Duff Goldman to challenge the nation to enter and win a scholarship to attend ICE. A worldwide public vote will determine the finalists, and the winners will be chosen by an exclusive panel of ICE instructors.
"What started out as a creative way to award scholarships became a viral sensation last time we ran the challenge. This time, we've taken things to a whole new level with even more scholarships and the industry behind us," says Rick Smilow, ICE's president and CEO. "At ICE, our mission is to enable the creative light within each individual, empowering them to find rewarding careers in the culinary and hospitality industries. We've helped more than 13,000 alumni find their culinary and hospitality voices, and with the nation's help, we hope to change the lives of 18 more people, meet thousands of others and have some fun in the process."
Entrants upload an original one-minute video to ice.edu/CulinaryVoice demonstrating their creativity, their passion for food or service, or their entrepreneurial flair. In the video, contestants should explain who they are, who or what inspires them, and what they hope to achieve in the culinary or hospitality industries. Entrants should tell the world why they deserve one of 18 scholarships and the chance to study at the award-winning Institute of Culinary Education in New York City, widely recognized as the nation's premier, state-of-the-art center for culinary education.
"ICE has become so much more than just a culinary school. Their programs, their facility, their creativity and their entrepreneurial approach really help develop and nurture young talent in this industry," says Donatella Arpaia, celebrity chef and restaurateur behind Prova Pizzabar. "I hope the next generation of culinary and hospitality hopefuls take advantage of the opportunity this challenge offers and enters, so they too can study at such an amazing place."
The top 50 #CulinaryVoice Scholarship Challenge finalists in each category will be determined by public vote, and for every vote, ICE will make a donation to Careers Through Culinary Arts Program (C-CAP) to fund even more scholarships. One full scholarship and two partial scholarships will be awarded for each of ICE's six award-winning career training programs: Culinary Arts, Pastry & Baking Arts, Culinary & Restaurant Management, Hospitality Management, Bread Baking and Cake Decorating.
Important Dates:
- January 4: Entries Open
- January 18: Voting Begins (new entries are still accepted during voting)
- February 15: Entries and Voting Close
- February 23: Winners announced
"Access to education is extremely important to me, especially in the culinary arts, so I am thrilled to partner with the Institute of Culinary Education on this scholarship challenge," says Ted Allen, host of Food Network's Chopped. "I'm looking forward to seeing the creativity of the entrants and hope to see 18 deserving lives changed through culinary education in the process."
For more information and to enter the challenge, visit ice.edu/culinaryvoice
