"con Sabor" Judges Announced For Culinary Scholarship Competition

For Immediate Release Contact: Henry A. de La Garza
de La Garza Public Relations
(713) 622-8818 - Direct
(713) 269-0304 - Mobile
Henrydlg@delagarza-pr.com


Imperial Sugar Announces Panel of Judges for
"Con Sabor" Culinary Scholarship Competition
Awards a Total of $3,000 in Scholarships

HOUSTON - December 20, 2005 -Chef Eddy Van Damme, executive pastry chef for Houston Community College, has been named The Master Judge for the finals competition of The Imperial Sugar "Con Sabor" Culinary Scholarship Competition, announced John Reinert, vice president of sales & marketing for Imperial Sugar Company.
"Chef Van Damme will lead a distinguished panel of judges featuring prominent Houston chefs. The panel includes: Ruben Ortega, the executive pastry chef at Hugo's Regional Mexican Restaurant and Backstreet Cafi; Russell Ybarra, president and CEO of Gringo's Mexican Kitchen; and Fernando Rios, the executive pastry chef at Damarco and Dolce Vita Italian Restaurant. The panel of judges will evaluate the recipes and the final product prepared by the student contestants in selecting two winners," said Reinert.
The finals competition of the "Con Sabor" Culinary Scholarship Competition is scheduled for 12 noon - 4 p.m., Tuesday, January 24, 2006 in the culinary classroom at Houston Community College, 3100 Main Street, on the first floor.
The competition is designed to financially assist and encourage Hispanic youths to pursue their dream of becoming a chef. The purpose of this scholarship competition is to provide a monetary contribution towards tuition and materials for worthy Hispanic students, who wish to attend the fully accredited culinary school at Houston Community College. Imperial Sugar will provide scholarships through the HCC Foundation to two winning Hispanic students so they may begin, or continue, their journey on the road to becoming a chef.
Each applicant also must provide the following along with their essay:

1. One letter of reference from their teacher, professor, school counselor, principal, or employer;
2. A copy of their high school transcript; and
3. Their favorite dessert or main course recipe which must include Imperial Sugar (granulated, powdered or brown sugar) as an ingredient.

All applicants must submit their materials in a 9 x 12 envelope addressed to:

Imperial Sugar "Con Sabor" Culinary Scholarship Contest
c/o de La Garza Public Relations, Inc.
1770 St. James Place, Ste 360
Houston, TX 77056
The deadline for submitting entries is December 31, 2005. Entries mailed must be postmarked no later than midnight of December 31, 2005. Entries delivered by hand must arrive no later than 5 p.m., December 29, 2005. For more information, please call Henry A. de La Garza, 713.622.8818, or email at henrydlg@delagarza-pr.com.


About Imperial Sugar

Imperial Sugar Company is one of the largest processors and marketers of refined sugar in the United States to food manufacturers, retail grocers and foodservice distributors. With packaging and refining facilities across the U.S., the company markets products nationally under the Imperial(R), Dixie Crystals(R), and Holly(R) brands. For more information about Imperial Sugar, visit www.imperialsugar.com.

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