UH culinary students build a better bento for 7-Eleven

VIDEO NEWS RELEASE

1st Place (tie): $1,000, Jeongyeon Shim (Kapi‘olani CC) - Tteokbokki, Spicy Rice Cake Stir-Fry

1st Place (tie): $1,000, Eri Abe (Kapi‘olani CC) - Wafu ‘Ulu Stew

3rd Place: $750, Socorro Jiho (Kapi‘olani CC) - Bistec A La Mexicana con Arroz Primavera

Link to video and sound (details below): https://bit.ly/2Idd70U

WHAT:  Eight University of Hawai‘i culinary arts students competed in 7-Eleven Hawaii’s third competition to produce a better-for-you bento or entrée that will be sold at all 7-Eleven Hawaii locations for a limited time in 2021.

WHEN: Judging and winners announcement via Zoom on Friday, December 4. 

WHO: (Both first-place winners dishes will be sold at all 7-Eleven Hawaii locations for a limited time.)

1st Place (tie): $1,000, Eri Abe (Kapi‘olani CC CC) - Wafu ‘Ulu Stew

1st Place (tie): $1,000, Jeongyeon Shim (Kapi‘olani CC) - Tteokbokki, Spicy Rice Cake Stir-Fry

3rd Place: $750, Socorro Jiho (Kapi‘olani CC) - Bistec A La Mexicana con Arroz Primavera

WHY: To support local agriculture and local culinary talent.

HOW:  Criteria included:

• Fits in a standard 7-Eleven Hawaii entrée container

• No more than 700 calories per entrée/bento

• “Good Source of Fiber” ≥5 grams of fiber per entrée/bento 

• <10 grams fat content per entrée/bento

• Must contain a minimum of two locally grown, caught or raised products

• <$4 cost per serving (not including packaging)

• All ingredients must mirror 7-Eleven Hawaii’s commissary cooking process, including being reheated in a microwave and displayed in a warmer for four hours without compromising flavor or appeal.

• Adheres to USDA/FDA food safety guidelines

FINALISTS (all competitors and their dishes):

• 1. Eri Abe (Kapi‘olani CC) | Wafu ‘Ulu Stew

  2. Chris Fujimoto (Kapi‘olani CC) | Salsa Chicken with Beans and Rice

  3. Socorro Jiho (Kapi‘olani CC) | Bistec A La Mexicana con Arroz Primavera

  4. Elijah Madayag (Kapi‘olani CC) | Shrimp Pinakbet

  5. Kaleb Molina (Leeward CC) | Kalua Pork Hash Patties

  6. Owen Saito (Kapi‘olani CC) | Ginger Miso Salmon Bento

  7. Jeongyeon Shim (Kapi‘olani CC) | Tteokbokki, Spicy Rice Cake Stir-Fry

  8. Kevin Wu (Kapi‘olani CC) | Betty’s Beef Noodle Soup

VIDEO: 

BROLL:

00-1:00 Shots of students preparing their bentos/entrees

1:02-1:27 1st Place (tie) Eri Abe preparing Wafu ‘Ulu Stew

1:28-2:01 1st Place (tie) Jeongyeon Shim preparing Tteokbokki, Spicy Rice Cake Stir-Fry

2:02-2:36 3rd Place Socorro preparing Bistec A La Mexicana con Arroz Primavera

SOUND:

Eri Abe, Kapi‘olani CC culinary student (1st place tie, Wafu ‘Ulu Stew) (:19)

“I hope like people taste this bento and many people doesnʻt know breadfruit like ‘ulu so I want people to know about the vegetables.”

Jeongyeon Shim, Kapi‘olani CC culinary student (1st place tie, Tteokbokki, Spicy Rice Cake Stir-Fry) (:11)

“I am very honored and I look forward to the process of actually taking this to the customers in the full cycle or product development which is also another big challenge and a good learning opportunity”

Debbie Lee Soon, 7-Eleven Hawaii Senior Category Manager (:11)

“It’s a win-win for all of us. They get the award. 7-Eleven gets a great dish to introduce to our customers, and we are using local ingredients, which helps the local agriculture industry.”

Lauren Tamamoto, Kapi‘olani CC Culinary Innovation Center Coordinator (:08)

“To see your dish at a store or many stores in Hawai‘i, I think that’s pretty cool and I think it’s a good experience, good exposure for students.”