Omaha Steaks Announces James Beard Foundation Scholarship Recipients

News provided by

Aug 28, 2013, 10:00 ET

OMAHA, Neb., Aug. 28, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- Omaha Steaks today announced the recipients of five culinary arts scholarships the company sponsors through the James Beard Foundation, an organization created to continue the legacy of iconic American chef, James Beard. Throughout his life, Beard offered both help and encouragement to those pursuing culinary careers. The scholarships are awarded annually to students pursuing many areas of culinary studies including cooking, baking, writing, nutrition, food studies, wine studies, and hospitality management. Students nationwide were invited to apply for the scholarships and the following individuals were selected to receive one of the awards given for the 2013/2014 academic year:

Alyson Tabb, a student at the Culinary Institute of America in Hyde Park, New York, majoring in baking and pastry management.

Jarrod Lane, a student at Metropolitan Community College in Omaha, Nebraska, pursuing degrees in both culinary arts and hospitality management, while working as a lead cook with Sodexo, an international food and facilities management services company.

Jason Volkmer, a culinary arts and management major at Metropolitan Community College in Omaha, Nebraska, President of the Tri Omega Culinary Fraternity and currently working as a kitchen supervisor for Omaha's Marriott Hotel.

Mitchell Chase, a graduate of Osreola Fundamental in Seminole Florida, planning to attend culinary school at Johnson & Wales in North Miami, Florida where he will study culinary arts.

Miranda Hill, a baking and pastry arts student at the Culinary Institute of America in Hyde Park, New York where she also serves as a tour guide.

(Logo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20111102/LA98677LOGO)

"We congratulate this year's recipients of the James Beard Foundation Scholarships and we are honored to support their ongoing culinary education," said Omaha Steaks Senior Vice President and family owner, Todd Simon. "James Beard was a friend, advisor and creative resource to Omaha Steaks for many years and we are privileged to honor his legacy through these scholarships that enable his love of the art of cooking to live on."

About Omaha Steaks

Omaha Steaks, founded in 1917, is an Omaha, Nebraska-based, fifth-generation, family-owned company that markets and distributes a wide variety of the finest quality USDA-approved, grain fed beef and other gourmet foods including seafood, pork, poultry, side dishes, appetizers, complete meals and desserts. Today, Omaha Steaks is recognized as the nation's largest direct response marketer of premium beef and gourmet foods, available to customers by calling 1-800-960-8400, online at www.OmahaSteaks.com or at retail stores nationwide.

About The James Beard Foundation's Scholarship Program

The James Beard Scholarship program is one of the organization's educational pillars, essential to the overall mission to celebrate, nurture, and preserve America's diverse culinary heritage and future. Since the Program's inception in 1991, the Foundation has awarded more than $4.5 million in financial aid. The scholarship program is administered with the assistance of Scholarship Management Services, a division of Scholarship America. Students may pursue many areas of culinary studies, including cooking, baking, writing, nutrition, food studies, wine studies, and hospitality management.

SOURCE Omaha Steaks