Computer ace trades hardware for chef's hat.

• Author: BECK, CATHIE
• Position: Ted Kieffer wins American Institute of Wine and Food scholarship - Brief Article

WHEN TED KIEFFER'S PHILIPPINE-BASED COMPUTER CONSULTING firm folded a few months back, he didn't know he'd soon be trading "bytes" for "bites." But as a winner of an American Institute of Wine and Food scholarship that's exactly what he's done.

Kieffer will use the scholarship to attend the Boulder-based Cooking School of the Rockies' Culinary Arts Program, a six-month curriculum that includes a month's study in France.

His conversion from computer wizard to chef is a case of a man pursuing what he loves.

Seven years as a systems integration specialist, including certifications as a Microsoft Certified Systems Engineer and trainer, led Kieffer to launch his own business. "I started my own consulting firm, providing custom application development to U.S. businesses," Kieffer says. "Even though my long-term goal was never to be in the computer profession, that's the way it happened."

But when the entrepreneurial gig ended, Kieffer looked into his heart for direction.

"Six months ago my brother-in-law said to me, 'Every time see you at a computer you're mad, but in the kitchen you're happy.' realized he was right."

Enter the AIWF and the Cooking School of the Rockies. "The AIWF contacted us and said they had some money," says Karen Barela, marketing director for the school. "There were three other cooking schools vying for the money for the scholarship - but as it turned out, AIWF awarded $5,000 and we matched that $5,000, which is part of the criteria for winning the scholarship.

"We're thrilled for the school and for Ted. It's the first time we were approached by them, but we hope it won't be the last."

The cooking school's...