Dozens of Chicago Public School high schoolers take cooking very seriously–and have reaped rewards for their passion.
Some 35 high school seniors and juniors enrolled in the Education-to-Careers culinary programs of Chicago Public High Schools won more than $520,000 in scholarships to culinary and hospitality colleges across the country.
The prizes were awarded after they participated in cooking competitions sponsored by the Careers through Culinary Arts Program (C-CAP), a national not-for-profit program that prepares teenagers for careers in the food-service industry.
That dollar figure is a record for the Chicago-area program. Pastry chef Mindy Segal of MK restaurant was named C-CAP Chicago Mentor of the Year for her efforts in working with students.