Colorado Culinary Academy Graduation Ceremony to Feature Keynote Address by Nationally Recognized Chef Paul Virant

Colorado Culinary Academy, the leading professional accelerated culinary training program, announced today that Chef Paul Virant, Michelin Star ranked, James Beard recognized, chef and owner of both Chicago-based restaurants - Vie and Perennial Virant - will deliver the keynote address to the inaugural graduating class on Saturday, November 23, 2013, in Greenwood Village, CO. Chef Virant will also receive his honorary diploma from the Colorado Culinary Academy during graduation ceremony.

The newly developed Colorado Culinary Academy is a comprehensive 12-week professional culinary training program that prepares graduates to successfully enter the modern professional kitchen. The short length of the program is specifically designed to focus on culinary technique, theory and hands-on preparation allowing students to start their culinary career with enough skill and theory to build a future in the professional kitchen - without the financial burden of a longer program.

A highly acclaimed chef, author, TV celebrity and restaurateur, Chef Paul Virant will give the keynote address to the first graduating class of the academy. "It is truly exciting to see a new professional culinary program based on classic French technique that is affordable to budding chefs," said Chef Virant. "I am honored to be associated with this fine academy, and look forward to meeting all of the graduates."

Academic Director Chef Andy Floyd, previously of Culinary School of the Rockies and Cook Street School of Fine Cooking, said, "We've designed the culinary program to be affordable, yet offer real training to prepare students for a real job with a real future. The students and staff are very proud to have Chef Virant speak at the inaugural graduation ceremony."

About Chef Paul Virant
Nationally recognized chef, author and restaurateur, Chef Paul Virant is well known for his focus on local, seasonal eating, a distinction that has brought him accolades on national scale. In 2005, before his restaurant Vie had been open for a full year, Chicago Magazine named Virant the city's Best New Chef. Soon after, Vie was featured in Food & Wine, the Chicago Tribune, the Chicago Sun-Times, and Time Out Chicago. Further accolades include Virant's 2007 nod as a Food & Wine Best New Chef, receiving a Michelin star at Vie in 2010, and being nominated for a James Beard Award as "Best Chef: Great Lakes" in both 2011 and 2013. In addition to awards, Virant has appeared on NBC's TODAY show and competed in a close match on Iron Chef America, as well as publishing his first cookbook, Preservation Kitchen, in 2012.

About Colorado Culinary Academy
Colorado Culinary Academy's curriculum is based on classic French technique, the perfect starting point for any culinary career. Students will study the classics, knife skill proficiency, global cuisines and technologies available in the modern kitchen. In three months, students will be ready to take the next step in their culinary career, putting their intense culinary education to work in a professional kitchen. For more information, please go to http://www.coloradoculinaryacademy.org, call (303) 220-6996 or email: admissions(at)coloradoculinaryacademy(dot)org.

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