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By Lookout Staff

March 14 -- A Santa Monica culinary student won the 2008 S.Pellegrino Almost Famous Chef Competition held in Napa Valley last weekend.

Kristianne Pak, who studies at the California School of Culinary Arts, beat out nine other top culinary students from the U.S. and Canada to win a $10,000 cash prize.

Pak -- who draws from her Japanese-Korean-American heritage to create her signature fusion cuisine style -- also won a $1,000 scholarship for her school, a year-long opportunity to work with a nationally recognized chef and the title of the 2008 S.Pellegrino Almost Famous Chef.

“This is a dream come true,” said Pak. “Just to be given this opportunity was incredible, and so challenging, but worth every bit of work put into it.

“I planned on bringing my ‘A’ game to the competition, and I definitely did. I think this is the best career starter anyone could ask for,” she said.

The ten finalists competed in three categories: the Mystery Basket, Signature Dish, and People’s Choice Tasting Gala.

Pak won the Signature Dish Challenge as well as the People’s Choice, which was chosen by more than 200 guests of the People’s Choice Tasting Gala and Awards Reception, for her Asian-American inspired Glazed Beef Short Ribs, Stir-Fried Miso Spinach and Chestnut Steamed Rice.

The competition was judged by an elite panel that included Chef Christoph Leu of Starwood Hotels and Resorts, Chef Matthew Levin of Lacroix at the Rittenhouse, Chef Allyson Thurber of The Lobster, Chef Tony Mantuano of Spiaggia, Tara de Lis of Citysearch, Jeff Hoyt of Gayot, Lena Birnbaum of Bon Appétit, and Rita DeMontis of Toronto Sun.

The event was hosted by winner of Bravo® Top Chef, Harold Dieterle, chef and owner of Perilla, New York, and actress Lorraine Bracco, famous for her role on The Sopranos on HBO® and president of Bracco Wines.