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CHEFCLASS

NEW SERIES STARTING MARCH 2008 FEATURING THE INTERNATIONAL CULINARY SCHOOLS AT THE ART INSTITUTES

Produced by Marjorie Poore Productions

PITTSBURGH - Americans love to cook. And they love to watch television shows that teach them the techniques and secrets of the world's best culinary institutes.

ChefClass is the latest cooking school series from Marjorie Poore Productions, long-time producers of some of PBS' most successful cooking series.

Without leaving the comfort of their own home, ChefClass takes viewers inside The International Culinary Schools of the Art Institutes, one of the country's most prestigious cooking schools, to learn how to cook like professionals.

Each episode features a top chef-instructor teaching all-important cooking techniques such as roasting, grilling, braising and sautéing, all taught through the demonstration of mouth-watering recipes.

"ChefClass gives viewers a rare opportunity to go inside a professional cooking school and learn critical cooking techniques and tips that will transform their cooking. The chef-instructors at The International Culinary Schools are not only fantastic chefs, but they are great teachers because that's what they do everyday: teach people how to be better cooks," said Marjorie Poore, series producer.

In the first episode called "Grilling," the chef prepares grilled shrimp and shiitake mushrooms with basil tomato sauce, then an entrée of prosciutto-wrapped quail stuffed with figs and served with apple walnut salad, followed by a dessert of raisin pecan bread pudding with brandy sauce.

The second episode called "Roasting" is all about the secrets to a great roast and ends with a recipe for a chocolate lava cake served with raspberry sauce. "Pasta Techniques" is a complete primer in making pasta and ends with two delicious pasta dishes that use fresh seafood. "Braising" teaches the slow-cooking method that produces intense flavors and moist, succulent meats. Subsequent episodes focus on cooking with rice, how to get perfect results when sautéing, cooking with eggs, a primer on great salad-making, pan frying, and soups.

Major funding of ChefClass is provided by Cuisinart; additional funding is provided by SiliconeZone.

About The International Culinary Schools at the Art Institutes

The International Culinary Schools at The Art Institutes is North America's largest system of culinary programs with over 30 locations.

Based on classical Escoffier, Asian and Latin culinary techniques, with an emphasis on progressive trends and practices, the schools' curriculum are designed to develop and sharpen fundamental cooking techniques and professional skills and introduce a variety of international cuisines. Internships, student-run school restaurants, guest lectures and Web-based seminars, and study abroad programs help broaden the scope of learning for students.

Program offerings vary at each school. Prospective students should check the course offerings at The Art Institute school they are interested in attending before enrolling. To learn more about The International Culinary Schools at The Art Institutes, visit www.artinstitutes.edu/culinary or www.exploreculinary.com.

About Cuisinart

Cuisinart, universally known for introducing the food processor in America, is a leader in culinary appliances, professional quality cookware and kitchen accessories. The company's cutting edge reputation can be seen on numerous fronts, from industry-first products and design awards to sponsorships of culinary events and TV cooking shows. Cuisinart manufactures a full range of products under the tagline, "Savor the Good Life®." These products include cookware, countertop cooking appliances, blenders, stand mixers and coffeemakers, as well as food processors, toasters and toaster ovens, ice cream makers and waffle makers. Cuisinart's website is www.cuisinart.com.

About SiliconeZone

SiliconeZone, the largest supplier of silicone housewares products in the U.S., manufactures bakeware, kitchen tools, gadgets and kitchen accessories in stylish designs and colors using commercial grade silicone. Always putting a high priority on research and development, the company has garnered both patents and awards in its brief, six-year history.

About Marjorie Poore Productions

ChefClass is produced by Marjorie Poore Productions, regarded as the leading pioneer of culinary programming since the early 1980's. Poore launched the careers of numerous celebrity TV chefs, including Jacques Pépin, Huber Keller, and Martin Yan, and has been responsible for many of PBS' most successful cooking shows, including Cookoff America, Grilling Maestros, The Holiday Table, Seasonings, and a PBS special on the Culinary Olympics filmed on location in Erfurt, Germany.

About NETA

The National Educational Telecommunications Association (NETA) is a professional association that serves public television licensees and educational entities in all 50 states, the U.S. Virgin Islands, and Puerto Rico. NETA serves by connecting people and ideas, by providing quality programming, educational resources, professional development, management support, and national representation.

About WQED Pittsburgh

WQED Pittsburgh, honored with the 2007 and 2006 Mid-Atlantic Emmy Award for Station Excellence and 12 other Emmy Awards, was founded in 1954 as the nation's first community-supported broadcaster. WQED creates, produces and distributes quality programs, products and services to engage, inform, educate and entertain the public within its community and around the world. WQED Pittsburgh is one of the first broadcasters in the country to be fully high-definition (HD) in its studio and field production capabilities. It is the parent company of WQED-TV (PBS); WQED-DT; The WQED Neighborhood Channel; WQED-HD; WQEX-TV (A Shop NBC affiliate); WQED-FM89.3/Pittsburgh; WQEJ-FM89.7/Johnstown; a publishing division that includes PITTSBURGH magazine; local and national television and radio productions; WQED Interactive (www.wqed.org); and the WQED Education Department.