The culinary programs of the Art Institutes system (recently renamed the International Culinary Schools and incorporating 30 North American locations) are expanding their focus by introducing students to an increased number of world cuisines, while emphasizing fundamental culinary skills. This redesigned curriculum was unveiled across the Art Institute system through a partnership with the Food Network that includes advertisements, sponsorships, and a website highlighting the International Culinary Schools at the Art Institutes.

In its second year, the partnership is designed to let Art Institutes’ schools leverage the network’s reach among an audience with a specific interest in the culinary arts.

The Art Institutes was one of the presenting sponsors in a new Food Network reality series that began in October. Food Network viewers had the opportunity to earn a culinary scholarship to the International Culinary Schools at the Art Institutes in the Chef Jeff Project Scholarship Contest.

Additionally, for the second year, the Food Network will support the Art Institutes’ Best Teen Chef Competition 2009, which culminates in a cook-off competition on May 9, 2009, at the Art Institute of Charlotte (North Carolina). The national competition, in its tenth year, awards more than $250,000 in tuition scholarships to high school seniors interested in pursuing culinary careers. This year’s winner, Jonathan Miller of Savannah, Georgia, received a full-tuition scholarship to a participating Art Institutes school and served as an “intern for a day” at Food Network studios.

To learn more about the International Culinary Schools at the Art Institutes, visit www.artinstitutes.edu/culinary or www.exploreculinary.com.