Contact:

Jessica Gago
San Diego Bay Wine & Food Festival
858-578-9463
gago@fastforwardevents.com

 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

SAN DIEGO BAY WINE & FOOD FESTIVAL AND THE AMERICAN INSTITUTE OF WINE & FOOD NOW ACCEPTING APPLICATIONS FOR CULINARY/ENOLOGY SCHOLARSHIP AWARDS

Up to $30,000 in Scholarships To Be Awarded to Deserving Students and Professionals in San Diego

SAN DIEGO (August 30, 2010)— The American Institute of Wine and Food (AIWF) along with the producers of the San Diego Bay Wine & Food Festival are now accepting applications for AIWF’s annual scholarships. These scholarships allow dedicated students and professionals in San Diego to further their education in culinary and enology arts. Since its inception in 2004, the San Diego Bay Wine & Food Festival has raised more than $150,000 in scholarships donated to the AIWF for their program, said Michelle Metter, co-producer of the food and wine festival.

“We are proud to help future chefs and enologists make their career aspirations into a reality and to provide an important service to our community,” said Metter.  “The AIWF’s scholarship program benefits students, while strengthening the city of San Diego’s reputation as one of the best culinary destinations in the nation.”

The scholarships will be awarded by the AIWF’s San Diego Chapter to those pursuing full-time or continuing education programs in the culinary arts and enology/viticulture. The donated scholarships range from $1,000 to $5,000 and are raised at the San Diego Bay Wine & Food Festival’s live auction and silent auctions. Scholarship money may be used for study within or outside of San Diego, however, to qualify, applicants must be connected to San Diego by school, work, or recent involvement in the area through food or wine. All schools must be accredited and offer hands-on-experience. Scholarship awards will be paid directly to the school, and cover tuition and other school fees.

“As always, we look forward to working alongside the San Diego Bay Wine & Food Festival for the seventh year in a row,” said Vickie Mogilner, Chair of The American Institute of Wine & Food San Diego. “The Festival’s longstanding commitment and support to our Scholarship Fund has made a tremendous impact on the future of tomorrow’s leading chefs and enologists.”

Scholarship winners will be announced at the Wine Spectator Celebrity Chef Luncheon and Big Bottle Auction on November 21, 2010 from 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. at Roy’s Restaurant, located at the Marriott Hotel and Marina.

To apply for the AIWF Scholarship please visit www.aiwf.org or www.worldofwineevents.com. Applications will be accepted until Wednesday, September 22, 2010. The application must be completely filled out, along with the statement, resume, and letters of recommendation in order to be considered. For questions, please call the American Institute of Wine and Food at 619-297-0951.

For more information on the San Diego Bay Wine and Food Festival, including a list of events, please visit www.worldofwineevents.com.

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AMERICAN INSTITUTE OF WINE AND FOOD

AIWF was founded as a 501 (c)(3) educational organization. It was established in 1981 by Robert Mondovi, the late Julia Child and others to promote a forum for the study and enjoyment of gastronomy. San Diego is host to the AIWF Culinary Collection at the Mandeville Special collections Library at UCSD. Visit www.aiwf.org for further information.

SAN DIEGO BAY WINE AND FOOD FESTIVAL

The 7th Annual San Diego Bay Wine & Food Festival is an international showcase of the world's premier wine and spirits producers, chefs and culinary personalities, and gourmet foods. Held November 17-21, 2010, the event benefits the American Institute of Wine & Food culinary arts scholarship program. Over 170 wineries, 70 of San Diego’s top fine dining restaurants and 30 gourmet food companies and exhibitors will participate in the 2010 Festival. For more information visit www.worldofwineevents.com. Produced by World of Wine Events and Fast Forward Event Productions. For more information call 858-578-9463.