Kapi`olani CC Wins in Culinary Team Competition
Kapiʻolani Community CollegeDirector, College Relations, Office for College and Community Relations
After two days of grueling preparation and presentation, the biennial "Hawai'i Culinary Competition Expo and Salon" ended on Friday, December 9 at Kapi'olani Community College. The event showcased student and professional talent through cold food, hot food and pastry competition.
Approximately 53 students and 7 professionals vied in this year's competition. Participants came from Waipahu High School, 2 branches of the military, and from Kaua'i, Leeward and Kapi'olani Community Colleges. The serious and eager culinarians brought their own pots, pans, mixers, cutlery and cooking utensils to demonstrate their skill in the kitchen. Many participants worked through the night to prepare the last details for today's judging.
Woraporn Martinez won a gold medal for her pastillage, "The Temple of King Rama IV" and Tiffany Tan also won a gold for her pastillage, "Spirit House." The show-stopper and gold winner was Chef David Brown for his "Christmas Centerpiece" of pastillage with gingerbread overlay. The cold foods were eye-appealing and rich with color enhancements, like Megumi Murano's beet-colored stuffed eggs. The hot food category were crowd pleasers, like Christopher Corpuz from Kaua'i Communty College with his "Macadamia Nut Crusted Lamb with a Red Wine Lamb Reduction." Shaylyn Funasaki won the gold with her "Kampachi Nitsuke, Chawan Mushi, Cha Soba and Miso Namasu."
Kapi'olani Community College entered two teams and emerged as winners. Members for "Team Hawai'i will be selected from these two teams and the final team of five will represent the State of Hawai'i at the Regional competition in spring 2017.
During the awards ceremony, Ron Takahashi, Culinary Arts Department Chair commented that the entries this year were exceptional and each entry showed the dedication and artistry of participants. "In my mind," said Takahashi, "every entry is a winner."
Judges for this year's event were certified chefs sent by the American Culinary Federation (ACF). This year's lead judge was Stafford DeCambra who was assisted by Douglas Fisher and Derek Spendlove.
The many sponsors of this event were HFM Food Service, Kyo-ya Hotels and Resorts, Starwood Hotels and Resorts, and Sheraton Waikiki Hotel.