Regional contests have whittled down the nation’s most culinary competent teens. The most capable cooks will compete in the final round of the Best Teen Chef 2008 Competition on May 17th at the Art Institute in Las Vegas.

Top prize winners in the Competition can win a full-tuition scholarship toward an associate’s degree, certificate or diploma program to study Culinary Arts at one of the more than 30 participating Art Institutes locations.

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.

Competitors will all receive the same ingredients and will use identical equipment to craft their individual version of Braciole Calabresi — Stuffed Pork Bundles; Peperonata — Peppers Sauteed with Olive Oil; and Capers and Orechietti con Carciofl — Orechietti Pasta with Artichokes during the timed competition.