PHILADELPHIA, March 16, 2012 /PRNewswire/ — ARAMARK, a leading provider of dining, facilities and conference center management across North America, has announced its 2012 Regional ARAMARK Culinary Excellence (ACE) competition. The ACE program recognizes and rewards outstanding chefs throughout ARAMARK’s higher education accounts and provides an opportunity for the chefs to demonstrate their culinary abilities in a competitive and engaging dining environment.

More than 150 ARAMARK chefs from colleges, universities and conference centers across North America are expected to compete in the 2012 ARAMARK Culinary Excellence program for the chance to win the coveted “Copper Pot” at the ARAMARK Culinary Excellence National Challenge, the culmination of the ACE program.

To attend the ARAMARK Culinary Excellence National Challenge, chefs are invited to participate in one of 12 regional competitions being held at college and university campuses around the country through April 15. Chefs will present a three course meal to a panel of judges as well as a group of students. The chefs will prepare one show-plate each for the students and judges and a taster-plate for each judge. Each chef has four hours to prepare their meals from prep to finish. Students are encouraged to attend the culinary competitions and cast their vote to help select the winning chef.

“We are excited to launch this year’s ACE Culinary competition and provide our chefs with an outlet to display their culinary creativity and expertise,” said Chris Hackem, President, ARAMARK Higher Education. “This year’s competition promises to be the most engaging yet, as students are able to actively choose the winners and the final culinary creations will be added as new campus dining menu items.”

The top three finalists from each of the 12 regions will then compete at the ARAMARK Culinary Excellence National Challenge, to be held in November in Tampa, Florida and simulcast live online.

About ARAMARK Higher Education

ARAMARK Higher Education is dedicated to excellence in dining, facility, conference center, and stadium and arena services. ARAMARK enhances the living and learning experience and environment for more than 600 colleges and universities throughout North America. For more information and a list of our services, visit www.aramarkhighered.com.

About ARAMARK

ARAMARK is a leader in professional services, providing award-winning food services, facilities management, and uniform and career apparel to health care institutions, universities and school districts, stadiums and arenas, and businesses around the world. The company is recognized as the industry leader in FORTUNE magazine’s “World’s Most Admired Companies,” and as one of America’s Largest Private Companies by both FORTUNE and Forbes magazines. ARAMARK seeks to responsibly address issues that matter to its clients, customers, employees and communities by focusing on employee advocacy, environmental stewardship, health and wellness, and community involvement. Headquartered in Philadelphia, ARAMARK has approximately 250,000 employees serving clients in 22 countries. Learn more at the company’s Web site, www.aramark.com, or www.twitter.com/aramarknews.

SOURCE ARAMARK