Culinary College Steps Up as Presenting Sponsor for High School Prostart Program

February 17, 2010 – Portland, OR

Le Cordon Bleu College of Culinary Arts in Portland assumes leadership role in its support

Oregon Restaurant Association (ORA) announced that Le Cordon Bleu College of Culinary Arts (LCB) in Portland has stepped up as presenting sponsor for the restaurant industry’s state-wide ProStart high school career development program. The program currently involves 53 high schools around the state including more than 2,700 high school juniors and seniors and aids students seeking careers in the culinary arts and restaurant management fields.

ORA President and CEO Steve McCoid welcomed the return of LCB in Portland as the 2010 program sponsor.

"LCB in Portland was a major ProStart sponsor in 2009 and took a leadership role this year as the program’s overall lead sponsor" said McCoid. "We thank them for their support. Their funding enhances a program that, in part during the past several years, has produced five national title-winning teams from the ProStart annual culinary and management competition."

The ProStart program for high school juniors and seniors includes a classroom culinary and business management curriculum plus a minimum 400 hours of mentored work experience in a foodservice establishment. The program also involves an annual culinary competition, providing students the opportunity to compete on teams while preparing one starter, one main course and one dessert. Teams choose their own menu and work only with two butane burners and an 8x8 work space. Scholarships from post-secondary schools are offered for winners.

"Our school is delighted to take a leadership role in Oregon by supporting such a successfully-recognized high school program," said Jon Alberts, president, LCB in Portland. "These are the future leaders of our industry, and we look forward to working with them as they move on from their high school curriculum to more advanced training."

ORA's ProStart program manager Jami Scott lauded the support of the school noting, "Oregon has continually produced nationally recognized students, and the sponsorship from the Le Cordon Bleu College of Culinary Arts in North America matches a nationally recognized institution with successful Oregon students in support of future leaders in our industry. This effort is much needed and much appreciated."

The ProStart program has been in existence for ten years in Oregon and has involved more than 15,000 student participants during that time.

About the Oregon Restaurant Association
The Oregon Restaurant Association is the leading business association for the restaurant industry in Oregon, which is comprised of over 9,000 restaurant and foodservice outlets, a work force of 120,000 employees, and a total economic impact of $9.7 billion - making it the cornerstone of the economy, career opportunities and community involvement. The association works to represent, train and promote the rapidly growing industry.

About Le Cordon Bleu College of Culinary Arts in Portland
Le Cordon Bleu College of Culinary Arts (LCB), located in Portland, offers culinary students a hands-on education with experienced faculty dedicated to providing students with the necessary skills, knowledge, support and guidance to pursue fulfilling career opportunities in the culinary arts. The college offers Associate of Occupational Studies degrees in Le Cordon Bleu Culinary Arts, Le Cordon Bleu Pâtisserie and Baking as well as Certificates in Le Cordon Bleu Culinary Arts and Le Cordon Bleu Pâtisserie & Baking. A Bachelor of Arts in Le Cordon Bleu Culinary Management online program is offered through Scottsdale, Ariz. campus. The school is accredited by the Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges (ACCSC) and the American Culinary Federation. The ACCSC is a nationally recognized accrediting agency by the United States Department of Education. LCB in Portland was formerly known as Western Culinary Institute. LCB does not guarantee employment or salary and is a member of the Career Education Corporation (NASDAQ:CECO) network of universities, colleges and schools. For more information, visit www.Chefs.edu.

Le Cordon Bleu® and the Le Cordon Bleu logo are registered trademarks of Career Education Corporation.