Le Cordon Bleu Continues A Series of Interactive, Educational Fundraising Dinners with 'Chocolate Extravaganza,' an 8-Course Dinner and Reception

CHICAGO - (Dec. 13, 2011) - Monday, Jan. 23, Le Cordon Bleu College of Culinary Arts Chicago and a handful of culinary and beverage sponsors are presenting an evening of chocolate all for a good cause. The evening will begin at 6:30 with a variety of

interactive food and beverage stations manned by the school’s chef instructors, followed by an 8-course tasting menu featuring the ingredient of the season – chocolate – presented in 6 savory dishes and two sweet dishes. More than 90 percent of the proceeds from the dinner will go to the student scholarship fund, destined for three outstanding students.

“As a graduate and a board member of the school, I am so pleased that the series of dinners and special events will continue and draw from the talents of our chef instructors, our students, our board of directors and many key sponsors or the evening. It will be a very special and unique event, one that we’ve been excited to present, based on different forms of chocolate – for the upcoming Valentine’s Day,” said Jeanette Stancato.

Guests of Le Cordon Bleu’s Chocolate Extravaganza will enjoy an hour long reception with special interactive stations featuring varied hors d’ouevres and beverages as well as the featured 8-course chocolate tasting menu also paired with a variety of beverages.

The 8-course tasting menu:

~First: Cocoa nib, pomegranate and arugula with grapefruit

~Second: Roasted beets, cocoa and roasted garlic conserve, basil

~Third: Vanilla, white chocolate and coffee seared scallops, muscat cream

~Forth: Seared hamachi with mole and saffron risotto

~Fifth: Cocoa-rubbed duck confit, ancho chocolate, cocoa butter potato pave

~Sixth: Chocolate braised short ribs, white chocolate spaetzle, maple glazed brussels sprouts

~Seventh: Fresh berries, chocolate sabayon

~Eighth: States of Chocolate matter including chocolate powder, chocolate air, chocolate ice

cream, hot chocolate

The Le Cordon Bleu ‘Chocolate Extravaganza’ is priced at very reasonable and all-inclusive $79 (including tax and gratuity). For questions or to reserve seating for the event, guests should go to the event website at www.lcb.eventsbot.com or contact Lee Schlesinger at wineknowprod@att.net or 847.275.3918.

About Le Cordon Bleu

Le Cordon Bleu (LCB) is one of the largest providers of quality culinary arts education worldwide. Our network of 17 schools in the United States offers culinary students a hands-on education with faculty dedicated to providing students with the necessary skills, knowledge, support and guidance to pursue opportunities in the culinary arts. LCB does not guarantee employment or salary, credits earned are unlikely to transfer and is a member of the Career Education Corporation (NASDAQ:CECO) network of universities, colleges and schools. Find disclosures on graduation rates, student financial obligations and more at www.chefs.edu/disclosures.

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

This incredible dinner serves as a fundraiser for the student scholarship fund. Thanks to the help of our generous sponsors, numerous volunteers, Le Cordon Bleu Instructors, chefs & students, all proceeds will be given to the Le Cordon Bleu College of Culinary Arts in Chicago Scholarship fund which is then matched by the Career Education Student Scholarship fund. We hope to raise over $7,000 for the students on January 23rd.