BEAVER CREEK, Colo., May 13, 1999 -  The Beaver Creek Resort Company and Bon Appetit Magazine will present the "Beaver Creek - U.S. Pastry Team Competition and Culinary Festival" in conjunction with the third and final part of the 1999 International Culinary Classic series in Beaver Creek, June 4-7, 1999.

Incorporating the invitation-only competition into Beaver Creek's International Culinary Classic series finale has produced an added element of excitement. Six two-person teams of pastry chefs from around the country will vie for first place and $10,000 of the $25,000 prize purse -- the largest for a pastry competition of this kind in the U.S.

Key event advisors Norman Love, corporate executive pastry chef for the Ritz-Carlton Hotels, and Michael Schneider, editor-in-chief of Chocolatier and Pastry Art Design magazines, have drawn on their own vast knowledge of the industry to create a competition that is worthy of praise from the entire pastry community.

"The Beaver Creek - U.S. Pastry Team Competition provides pastry chefs in America a platform to showcase their talents to the world," said Love. "We believe the time has come to reveal the United States as the center for the 'Art of the Pastry Chef.'"

The theme of this year's event is "Dreams." Each team's presentation must incorporate the "dreams" theme and all assembly and creation must be completed in the allotted six-hour time period in front of the three judges and a crowd of spectators. Judging will be based on both presentation and taste, plus spectators will be allowed to vote as well.

"Beaver Creek - U.S. Pastry Team Competition and Culinary Festival" is sponsored in part by Chocolatier and Pastry Art Design magazines. Proceeds from the event will support the Vilar Center for the Arts, a non-profit world-class performing arts center operated by the Beaver Creek Arts Foundation.

The package price for the June event is $515 and includes the welcome reception concert, three dinners featuring guest chefs, three wine tastings, brunch, the pastry fantasy extravaganza, and $50 in tokens to use at the culinary festival booths. For registration information or questions about this event, call 888-920-2787.