Young Chef to Represent the United States during International Competition Held in Paris, France in September
campbell, Calif. – May 8, 2008 – Keriann Von-Raesfeld, a student of the Professional Culinary Institute (PCI) located in Campbell, California, has won The Chaîne des Rôtisseurs National Young Chef Rôtisseur Competition, which was held at Johnson & Wales University in Charlotte, N.C. on May 1 through May 3, 2008. Competing against young chefs from nine regions across the United States, 22-year-old Keriann was the only female to compete in this competition, and is the first woman to win the competition since its inception in the United States in 1990.
“Keriann continues to amaze us with her talent and skill,” says Richard Battista, president of PCI. “We are proud that she will now be representing the United States in two national competitions, one in Dubai and now in Paris. Keriann has worked hard to get where she is today, and it is paying off. I have watched our students compete in a variety of competitions, as well as advance their culinary careers through our required externships. I am always happy to see our students excel.”
The National Young Chef Rôtisseur Competition brought young chefs from nine regions together, all required to prepare a three-course meal using a “mystery basket”. Keriann’s winning meal included first course: artichoke mascarpone filled ravioli, seared Kona Kampachi with sautéed tomatoes and fresh chives; entrée: duo of duck (braised leg and roasted breast) served over a parsnip puree, sautéed wild mushrooms, glazed cipollini onions, roasted fingerling potatoes and broccoli rabe with a sauce of natural duck jus; and dessert: dark chocolate mousse with a white chocolate raspberry ganache center, blood orange compote with salted caramel sauce and tuile garnish, and a butter cookie. In addition to Keriann, the winners included Benjamin Stanley of the Midwest Region earning 2nd place and David Ryba of the South Central Region earning 3rd place.
As a result of winning the National Young Chef Rôtisseur Competition, Keriann will be moving on to Paris, France on September 18 through September 20, 2008 where she will represent the United States in the international competition, The Concours International Des Jeunes Commis Rôtisseurs.
This is the second big win for Keriann, as she was recently awarded the opportunity to represent the United States in a culinary competition taking place in Dubai, where she will compete with 20 young chefs from around the globe for the title, “best young cook in the world.” Keriann graduated from PCI’s Culinary Arts program in July of 2007, and is currently enrolled in the PCI Baking and Pastry Arts program.
The Chaîne des Rôtisseurs is the world’s oldest international gastronomic society, and is devoted to promoting fine dining and preserving the camaraderie and pleasures of the table. Today, the society has members in more than 70 countries around the world. To learn more about The Chaîne des Rôtisseurs, visit www.chaineus.org.
