Sweet Cash And Glory!

NEW YORK CITY, March 06, 2007 - Calling all pastry chefs... PastryScoop.com is now accepting applications for the 2007 Golden Scoop Awards! And to sweeten the pot, this year's winners will each receive a $1,000 prize (in addition to the fame and glory).

The Golden Scoop Awards, presented by PastryScoop.com with support from The French Culinary Institute and Food Arts, celebrate innovation, creativity, and excellence in the pastry arts.

Since 2004, the awards have attracted applications from some of the country's most talented pastry chefs, bakers, and confectioners, including those commended by the James Beard Foundation Awards, StarChefs.com Rising Stars Revue, and Pastry Art & Design's 10 Best Pastry Chefs in America. Now's your chance to be recognized.

Professionals are invited to enter in five award categories:

� Best Dessert Menu - creativity, originality, balance, and overall appeal of menu concepts
� Most Innovative Dessert - innovative use of flavor, ingredients, or technique in a plated dessert
� Best Dessert Revival - adaptation of a classic or nostalgic dessert from the past as a plated dessert
� Best Confection - overall execution of a candy or confection
� Best Bakery Recipe - overall execution of a baked good

Deadline for applications is April 18th so enter today!

The top contenders in each category, as selected by PastryScoop.com, will be invited to present their creations in a blind tasting to a judging panel of distinguished pastry chefs and food industry professionals. Winners will be announced at a special awards ceremony attended by pastry chefs and press at The French Culinary Institute in New York City on June 18th.

For more information and to download an application form, visit www.PastryScoop.com or call (888) A-PASTRY. All entries must be post-marked no later than April 18th, 2007, and sent to: PastryScoop.com, Attn: Golden Scoop Awards, 434 Broadway, 7th Floor, New York, NY, 10013.


ABOUT PASTRYSCOOP.COM
Founded in 2004 by The French Culinary Institute, PastryScoop.com is a free online resource dedicated to supporting and celebrating the pastry arts through a dynamic, information-packed website, as well as dozens of online and offline events-from conferences and competitions to chef demonstrations and online chats with the hottest tastemakers around the country. PastryScoop.com reports on dessert trends, innovations, tips and techniques, with comprehensive listings of resources, ingredients, conversions, and educational programs. Our mission is to inspire, educate, and bring increased awareness and appreciation for the pastry arts and to promote creativity and community within the field.

ABOUT THE FRENCH CULINARY INSTITUTE
Founded in 1984, The French Culinary Institute (The FCI) in New York City teaches the culinary protocol, language, and techniques upon which all Western cuisine is based. The FCI offers a rigorous six-month program by day or a nine-month program by night for aspiring or working culinary professionals and serious amateurs. The FCI's faculty is headed by an all-star line-up of distinguished Deans-all of whom have received top honors in the culinary world-including Alain Sailhac, Vice President, Dean Emeritus; Jacques P�pin, Master Chef, Dean of Special Programs; Jacques Torres, Master Chef, Dean of Pastry Arts; Andr� Soltner, Master Chef, Dean of Classic Studies; Cesare Casella, Dean of Italian Studies; Alan Richman, Dean of Food Journalism; and Andrea Robinson, Dean of Wine Studies. In 2006, The FCI received "The Award of Excellence for Vocational Cooking School" by the IACP.