Top-notch food will be the lesson of the day when Hawaii Community College students hold their 16th annual Hilo Culinary Classic.
The renowned display of technical skill, creativity and knowledge by students in HCC’s Culinary Arts Program will be held from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Friday, April 4.
“Entries created by second-year Culinary Arts students from Hawai‘i CC will be on display, along with those of adventurous first-year student chefs,” said HCC spokesman Thatcher Moats. “Culinary Arts graduates and professionals will square off in the guest competition.”
The culinary displays will include savory multi-course meals, inventive desserts, hors d’oeuvres, celebration cakes for that special event and edible art pieces. The event will feature food to eat as well as food meant exclusively for viewing as first-year students present a heavy pupu buffet.
Foodies, families of student chefs and the public are invited to the tasty feast.
The students begin the culinary program learning basic cooking techniques, knife skills, and sanitation, and they practice those skills by running the Manono Campus cafeteria, which is open to the public.
Students then advance to the on-campus restaurants. ‘Ohana Corner Café and Bamboo Hale, where they spend their third and fourth semesters learning restaurant management, international cuisine, timing, and advanced cooking techniques.
Students also take field trips to farms, orchards, aquaculture operations and other producers where they learn about island products.
The Hawai‘i CC Culinary Arts Program is an American Culinary Federation Accredited College, which follows its teaching competency and standards.
Professor and Chef Allan Okuda said the competition format “really tests the knowledge and skills of our students.”
“It demands not only correct technical knowledge, but students must also execute these techniques perfectly,” Okuda said.
A team of accomplished chefs will judge the entries in accordance with American Culinary Federation rules.
The event takes place at the HCC cafeteria in Hilo. Tickets are $9.50, and are available at the cafeteria, Bamboo Hale and from culinary students on campus. Tickets will also be available at the door.
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