Rain can’t stop ACF Breakfast

PUHI — “I not wet,” said Jaicie Martinez, 9, who borrowed Chef Russlyn Morita’s rain jacket for a field test Sunday during the American Culinary Federation Breakfast.

Martinez was among the crowd of people enjoying the more than 1,700 meals that were served as a fundraiser for the Kauai Community College culinary arts program.

“This is our first time here,” said Dr. Janet Berreman, director of the Kauai District Health Office. “Last year, I heard about it, but we had just gotten here so I passed.”

Dasia Norcome and Paula Ahumada of California did not let the rain dampen their enthusiasm for the morning meal, darting between the rains that sprinkled the crowd gathered under the large tent set up outside the KCC dining facility and kitchens.

Students from Wayne Miyata’s ceramic class offered unique handmade items for sale along with faculty vendors. Members of the Nursing Club provided free blood pressure checks while members of the Hawaiian Club provided service at the Zero Waste Kauai opala stations.

“We are truly grateful to everyone who helped make this breakfast possible,” said Valerie Barko, the director of Institutional Effectiveness, University Center. “We want to thank our volunteers which include the culinary arts students, the various campus clubs, including the Pamatansan, Sustainability, Hawaiian and Nursing clubs, our college faculty and staff, and community members, including the ACF island chefs who volunteered their time this morning to prepare food and mentor our culinary arts students. And most importantly, our culinary arts faculty who spent countless hours preparing the students for today’s event.”

Barko said in addition to the corps of volunteers, there were donors who provided items for the breakfast. And Sarah Tochiki brought the college’s orchestra out to perform.

Chef Martina Hilldorfer of the culinary arts program said scholarships are one of the most visible demonstrations of support by the community. Scholarship recipients, many of whom were tied up preparing food for the throng of hungry diners, included Julie Marquez, who was the recipient of last year’s ACF Scholarship, Yvonne Defontorum, Kevin Pagatpatan and Stephan Longboy, recipients of the Rotary Club of Poipu scholarships. Jae Mar Manuel receive the Chris Watase Scholarship, and the Fries Scholarship was awarded to Austin- Hamada Manipon.

The Chris Watase scholarship, $2,000 awarded to Westside high school graduates, went to Rendel Lim.

Sean Austin earned the $1,000 Roy and Francine Donahue scholarship, and Russell Winkelman of Hawaii Gas offered a $1,000 scholarship to William Park.

Angela Rhey Ventura was the recipient of the Dr. Bill Gondring and Phyllis Jean Gondring scholarship in addition to earning a KCC culinary arts scholarship.

Kona Brown was awarded the $1,000 ACF, Kauai Chapter scholarship, and Taylor Barroga got a loud cheer from his family after being awarded the $1,000 Hawaii Community Foundation scholarship.

The Hawaii Lodging and Tourism Association scholarships were shared among Caylan Ajimura, Keileb Albarado-Planas, Lea Blum, Ace Difortiorum, Christan Guimba and Phenny Prado.

“And, don’t forget us Mainland ACF people,” said Adam Weiner, a culinary arts instructor of California. “I was helping everywhere, played with the band, and now, maybe I can grab a bite to eat.”