Feb. 2 On Food Network: Mario's Restaurant Rookies With C-CAP Students

PREMIERING FEBRUARY 2 ON FOOD NETWORK:
MARIOS RESTAURANT ROOKIES,
FEATURING NEW YORK CITY CAREERS THROUGH CULINARY ARTS PROGRAM STUDENTS

On Marios Restaurant Rookies, an hour long special airing on Food Network February 2 at 9:00PM ET, superstar chef Mario Batali invites two New York City high school students from the Careers through Culinary Arts Program (C-CAP) to train with him in his critically acclaimed Babbo kitchen. As a final exam, these restaurant rookies have the opportunity to try to fool the toughest food critics into thinking their creations are made by Marios highly experienced staff.

The special features Long Island City High School Senior Joey Spatola and Park West High School Senior Shinae McBean. Filmed in July 2002, the program focuses on the two lucky C-CAP students experiences at Marios world-renowned restaurant, Babbo. The students were selected from the New York City C-CAP program, a non-profit organization that provides foodservice career opportunities for disadvantaged youth through culinary arts education and employment. The camera follows Joey and Shinae during their week of training with Mario, after which they are put to the test. Their creations, including their own signature dishes, are presented to food critics who must distinguish between the students dishes and those of the staff of Babbo.

In June 2002, Joey and Shinae competed for scholarships and jobs at the New York City C-CAP Culinary Competition. Joey Spatola was awarded the Elizabeth Alston Scholarship, valued at $5,000. In the fall of 2002, Joey enrolled in the Hospitality Management program at New York City Technical College in Brooklyn. He lives in Astoria, Queens. Shinae McBean was awarded a $36,000 scholarship to the Culinary Institute of America in Hyde Park, NY. She continued working at Pepsi until enrolling at CIA in January 2003. She is a resident of Fleetwood, NY.
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