California Restaurant Association Educational Foundation Announces Celebrity Chef Tommy Tang to Participate in Student Showcase

Legendary Chef to Demo Culinary Techniques with State ProStart® Students

Sacramento, Calif. - The California Restaurant Association Educational Foundation (CRAEF) is pleased to announce that celebrity chef Tommy Tang will be working with the 2007 Boyds Coffee Culinary Cup winners to demonstrate culinary techniques at the Student Showcase at this year's Western Foodservice & Hospitality Expo (WFHE). The Student Showcase will take place at the Hot Spot located on the WFHE show floor at the Los Angeles Convention Center on Saturday, August 18 from 4:00-6:00 p.m.

"We are so excited to have such an accomplished and well-known chef participate in this demonstration with the ProStart students," said Stella Premo, CRAEF Executive Director. "These students represent the future of the restaurant and hospitality industry. This will be a great opportunity for these culinary students to interact and learn from an amazing chef."

The Student Showcase will feature students from Newport Harbor High School's ProStart program, first place winners at the 2007 Culinary Cup and second place winners of the National ProStart Competition. Students Alex Gonzales, Steve Smeets, Cody McDonald and Tyler Wolk will prepare their winning dessert dish with Tommy Tang for WFHE attendees and guests.

A reception will take place in the Hot Spot following the demonstration and will include short remarks by CRAEF Chairman Aaron Noveshen, CRA President and CEO Jot Condie and CRAEF Executive Director Stella Premo. CRAEF will honor state ProStart management team competition winners, La Quinta High School, as well as present scholarships to this year's recipients and the 2007 Inspirational Leader award.

The California Restaurant Association Educational Foundation (CRAEF) has awarded nearly $900,000 in scholarships and grants since its inception in 1981. CRAEF works to enhance education and training programs within the hospitality industry. ProStart(r) is a two-year program designed to prepare high school juniors and seniors for exciting careers in foodservice.

The California Restaurant Association is the definitive voice of the California restaurant and hospitality industry and has served to protect and promote its success since 1906. The restaurant industry is the largest private employer in California, representing more than 1.4 million jobs. Restaurants produce more than $54 billion in sales annually and generate more than $4.5 billion in sales tax for the state.