Cortland teen is top chef in regional competition

The teen winner is a prep chef at the Avalon Inn.

STAFF REPORT

CORTLAND — Michael A. Denman, 18, of Cortland is the regional winner of Saturday’s Best Teen Chef Competition held at The Art Institute of Pittsburgh.

High school seniors cooked off for scholarships and one spot in the national competition.

Denman, of Lakeview High School, will be traveling to Pittsburgh regularly between now and May 16 to practice under the guidance of Chef Norman Hart at The International Culinary School at The Art Institute of Pittsburgh.

He has won a $3,000 scholarship and expenses-paid trip to Las Vegas to compete in national competition. Michael, his parents and sister are planning their trip to The Art Institute of Las Vegas for the Best Teen Chef Final Round Competition on May 17.

Denman began working at Avalon Inn Resort and Conference Center, helping to set up for large banquets. It wasn’t long before Chef Kyle Mayetta took Michael on as a prot g , and such began his passion for the culinary industry. Today, he’s a prep chef at the Avalon Inn, in Howland, owned by John Kouvas.

“I love the rhythm and the pace of the industry,” said Denman. “It’s an incredible feeling to be part of a team that makes it all happen and makes people happy.”

The evening before the regional competition in Pittsburgh, Denman helped to serve more than 250 people for a banquet. “I learned everything I know at Avalon,” said the aspiring chef.

Denman plans to attend The Art Institute of Pittsburgh this fall. His career goal is to open a high-end steakhouse in Colorado.

At the local cook-off competition, the seven competitors prepared a menu of shrimp cocktail, saut ed breast of chicken, fresh broccoli, and rice pilaf during timed heats.

Judging categories include: knife skills, sanitation/safety, placement, cooking techniques, cleanup, food temperature, taste and flavor, texture and doneness, portion size and presentation.

Judges for the 2008 regional included Chef Donato Coluccio, executive chef at the Capital Grille; Chef Andrew Comey, executive pastry chef at Nemacolin Woodlands Resort and Spa; and Chef David Russo, chef instructor, The Art Institute of

Pittsburgh.

Second place, a $2,000 scholarship, was awarded to Paige Ford, Steel Valley High School, Pittsburgh.

In addition to a full-tuition scholarship and the title of Best Teen Chef 2008, the first place winner in the national competition, in partnership with Food Network, will be an “Intern for a Day” at the Food Network Kitchens in New York City. The winner will also receive a tour of the Food Network Studios, dinner for two at a Food Network chef’s restaurant and a library of Food Network Kitchens cookbooks.