PCARA AWARDS $1,000 SCHOLASHIP TO PCHS SENIOR

PARK CITY, Utah (June 17, 2015) — She’s a cut above the rest.

Park City High School senior and cooking enthusiast Elizabeth Story won the Park City Area Restaurant Association’s annual scholarship competition, taking home a $1,000 scholarship.

Elizabeth knows her way around a cutting board. An avid fan of the Food Network competitive-cooking shows Chopped and Iron Chef, she’s a three-year member of her school’s Pro Start National Restaurant Association team and was voted its captain this year. Her special dish: family favorite tomato basil soup with homemade chicken pesto-stuffed ravioli; a meal that helped catapult her to the captain’s spot.

“Becoming captain was very rewarding,” Elizabeth wrote in her essay for the contest. “Since cooking has been a hobby of mine ever since I can remember, my dream of being a Chopped contestant finally became a reality.”

Her leadership extends far beyond the kitchen. She was selected president of her Young Life youth group chapter and named “Employee of the Month” at a local Adidas Store after just month of work – and also still found the time to participate in Furburbia, tutoring and community service through the National Honor Society.

Plus, at a Young Life camp over a long winter weekend, she volunteered as – you guessed it – a waitress and chef, waking up before the 300 campers every morning to prepare breakfast, lunch and dinner.

“We made sure the tables were set to perfection so that every time they stepped into the dining hall, it was spotless,” Elizabeth wrote in her essay.

Chef Pro Start instructor Brant Christoffersen, who coached Elizabeth on the Park City High School team, said the senior “has a passion for learning” and is “always willing to help her fellow students.”

“Elizabeth uses her humor and positive attitude to seek out those that need her,” Christoffersen wrote in his recommendation letter for Elizabeth.

Elizabeth says she hopes to pursue a career in business, perhaps in management, accounting, marketing or research.

“No matter what Elizabeth chooses to do, we know she’ll excel – and be smiling and helping others all the while,” PCARA executive director Ginger Ries said. “Her drive, her community spirit, and her attention to detail exemplify all that our group and our member restaurants hold high, and it’s why Elizabeth is the perfect recipient for this year’s scholarship.”

For more information about the scholarship program or the PCARA, visit www.parkcityrestaurants.com or contact Christa Graff, of Graff Public Relations, at christa@graffpr.com or 435-640-7921.

About the Park City Area Restaurant Association

The Park City Area Restaurant Association is the umbrella organization for more than 70 restaurants in Park City, Utah. The organization supports and promotes the large variety of award-winning restaurants in the Park City area. Every year, thousands of residents and visitors are exposed to Park City’s eclectic dining options through a variety of events that the Park City Area Restaurant Association hosts. The events include Savor the Summit, Park City Dine About and Winter Online Cocktail Contest. For a list of member restaurants, their locations, cuisines, pricing and features, please visit www.parkcityrestaurants.com. Visit the Park City Area Restaurant Association’s Twitter and Facebook sites for current restaurant information and dining specials.