2008 Season Of Ice�'s Meet The Culinary Entrepreneurs Announced

The Institute of Culinary Education (ICE�) will present a group of distinguished industry leaders as guest speakers in their third annual "Meet the Culinary Entrepreneurs" lecture series kicking off in January 2008. The series takes a broad approach to culinary entrepreneurship including restaurateurs, caterers, artisan food producers and retailers. The ninety-minute presentations are run by ICE�'s Culinary Management Diploma Program (CMD) and will take place at the school's 50 West 23rd Street campus from January-November 2008. Each session is $40 for the general public, $15 for ICE� alumni and free to current students.

This year's roster includes New Orleans-based restaurateur Richard J. "Dickie" Brennan Jr. of Dickie Brennan and Co.; Boston chef-restaurateur Michael Schlow of Radius, Via Matta, Great Bay and Alta Strada; New York City restaurateur and winemaker Joseph Bastianich of Babbo, Del Posto and Otto; Dallas cheesemaker Paula Lambert of The Mozzarella Company; New York City restaurateur Drew Nieporent of Myriad Restaurant Group; New York City caterer Jason Apfelbaum of Chef & Company; and many others.

Started in 2000, ICE�'s accredited culinary management program is a unique, successful course, teaching the essentials of restaurant and food business management and entrepreneurship. Course topics include concept development, staff and supervision, financial budgeting, cost control, marketing, law and much, much more. "It's sort of a mini-MBA for aspiring restaurant owners and similar culinary businesses," said ICE� president Rick Smilow.

Since its inception in 2006, ICE�'s Meet the Culinary Entrepreneurs has attracted industry talent from the likes of Union Square Hospitality Group president Danny Meyer to Abigail Kirsch Catering president and CEO Jim Kirsch, and Amy Scherber, owner of Amy's Bread. Each lecture highlights one specific speaker and is moderated by a CMD program instructor. Topics discussed range from the background and personal experiences of the speakers to how they developed their original concept and business plans, and the highs and lows of their entrepreneurial path.

"We have always invited a variety of industry professionals, from lawyers and contractors to business owners and product experts, to serve as guest lecturers for our classes," said Stephen Zagor, CMD Program Director. "We thought it would be valuable to open up particular higher profile sessions to the public and our alumni, which is how Meet the Culinary Entrepreneurs came to be."

"Learning from industry veterans is both rewarding and inspiring," said Smilow, "And hearing about their trials and tribulations on the path to success is as educational as hearing about the success itself." For a complete listing of Meet the Culinary Entrepreneurs speakers, dates and times or to make a reservation please visit: iceculinary.com/PRO or call (888) 990-CHEF.

About ICE�:
Founded in 1975 by Peter Kump, The Institute of Culinary Education (ICE�) offers comprehensive career training programs in Culinary Arts, Pastry & Baking Arts and Culinary Management. With an in-depth, global curriculum, dedicated chef-instructors, a strong record in externships and placements and a clear entrepreneurial focus, ICE� is widely recognized by top industry organizations as a premier pathway to begin or continue a culinary career. ICE� was a finalist (2002 & 2006) and winner (2003) in the International Association of Culinary Professionals' Vocational and Avocational Culinary School of the Year awards. In addition, ICE� offers over 1,500 hands-on recreational cooking, baking and wine education courses to over 26,000 students, as well as hundreds of special events for corporations, individuals