Sheraton Phoenix Downtown Announces Fourth Annual Gingerbread House Contest In Collaboration With Le Cordon Bleu College of Culinary Arts Students

2011 Gingerbread Competition at Sheraton Downtown Phoenix

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Media Contact:
Katie Brashear, Complex Director of Public Relations (602) 817-5323 – Office (602) 502-3154 – Cell Katie.Brashear@Sheraton.com

Sheraton Phoenix Downtown

SHERATON PHOENIX DOWNTOWN ANNOUNCES FOURTH ANNUAL GINGERBREAD HOUSE CONTEST IN COLLABORATION WITH LE CORDON BLEU College of Culinary Arts Students Compete Creatively to Steal the Christmas Show
PHOENIX – (October 29, 2012) – Each year, Sheraton Phoenix Downtown Hotel holds a gingerbread house competition set to various Christmas story themes where elaborately decorated edible creations are displayed in the hotel’s Park Lounge (lobby) throughout the Holiday Season. This year’s gingerbread house theme is Dr. Seuess’ 1966 rendition of “How the Grinch Stole Christmas.”

Sheraton Phoenix Downtown Hotel will partner this year with Le Cordon Bleu College of Culinary Arts to give students a chance to creatively showcase their talents and win a monetary scholarship donation to their Le Cordon Bleu College of Culinary Arts tuition and/or supplies.

“We decided to align with Le Cordon Bleu College of Culinary Arts to give culinary students a hands-on opportunity to show off their skills, which could result in a tuition scholarship,” said Pastry Chef Winnona Herr, Sheraton Phoenix Downtown Hotel. “This is a fun and interactive competition where we can engage with our community and challenge the students to unleash their creativity. What could be more fun than creating themed gingerbread houses for a chance to reap scholastic rewards?”

Students are challenged to create gingerbread houses constructed and composed completely of edible materials and erected on a board that measures 24 inches high, 18 inches wide, and 24 inches long. The main structure will be constructed primarily of gingerbread and must be to the theme of “How the Grinch Stole Christmas.” Any entry with non-edible components will be automatically disqualified.
The first round of judging takes place at Le Cordon Bleu College of Culinary Arts in mid- November 2012. Finalists are awarded the opportunity to have their gingerbread houses on display at Sheraton Phoenix Downtown Hotel throughout the 2012 Holiday Season where the final judging occurs. All entries will be judged in five categories: 1.) Overall appearance; 2.) Originality and creativity; 3.) Difficulty; 4.) Precision; and 5.) Consistency of theme.

Prizes will be awarded for the top three competitors through a scholarship donation to their Le Cordon Bleu College of Culinary Arts tuition and/or supplies in the following amounts: First place is $1,000; Second place is $500; Third place is $250.

Locals and travelers alike will have the opportunity to view the final selections at Sheraton Phoenix Downtown Hotel in the hotel’s Park Lounge from November 23, 2012, through the end of the year.
For more about Sheraton Phoenix Downtown Hotel’s Gingerbread House Competition visit
www.sheratonphoenixdowntown.com/gingerbread or www.facebook.com/SheratonPhxDowntown.

About Le Cordon Bleu College of Culinary Arts
In 1999, Le Cordon Bleu North America arrived in the United States. Its partnership with Scottsdale Culinary Institute (SCI) combined classical French cooking techniques with modern American technology. This union has ushered in a new era of culinary arts around the world. On August 17, 2009, SCI started the distance education delivery method of the Bachelors of Arts in Le Cordon Bleu Culinary Management. On November 1, 2009, SCI received State and accreditation approval to change its name to Le Cordon Bleu College of Culinary Arts.

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 fulfilling career opportunities in the culinary arts. LCB does not guarantee employment or salary and is a member of the Career Education Corporation (NASDAQ:CECO) network of universities, colleges and schools.

About Sheraton Phoenix Downtown
Sheraton Phoenix Downtown Hotel opened on September 30, 2008, as the largest hotel in Arizona with 1,000 guestrooms. The hotel features signature services and amenities such as Sheraton Fitness® powered by Core Performance, the Sheraton Sweet SleeperTM Bed and the Link@Sheraton experienced by Microsoft®. Set in an urban oasis, the hotel offers guests a 4,500-square-foot outdoor pool and sundeck with an adjacent rooftop herb garden. The hotel provides more than 80,000 square feet of flexible, state-of-the- art meeting space and a restaurant, District American Kitchen & Wine Bar, with bar and lounge. It is located in the heart of Downtown Phoenix and adjacent the Phoenix Convention Center. For additional information or for reservations, please visit www.sheratonphoenixdowntown.com.