PUHI — Breakfast diners got a lot of eggs, fruits, pastries, and a lot more Sunday during the 34th annual American Culinary Federation Kaua‘i Chapter Breakfast that unfolded in the brisk trade winds and heavy cloud cover at Kaua‘i Community College.
KCC culinary-arts students, busy on the line at the made-to-order omelet station, the carving station and other areas on campus, are the beneficiaries of the diners’ attendance at the event started by chef Conrad Nonaka and five other chefs, including chef Clarence Nishi, 34 years ago.
“We want you to know how truly grateful we are for all of your support for our culinary students,” said chef Martina Hilldorfer, an instructor with the KCC culinary-arts program.
“I’d like to thank all of the second-year students who demonstrated their leadership skills in organizing this morning’s event.”
“Thank you, too, visiting chef Adam Weiner and chef David Jones, who traveled from the San Francisco Bay Area for four years to help us, as well as play with Sarah Tochiki and the orchestra.”
Students were preoccupied with their duties at the breakfast, where more than 1,700 meals were served. They could not hear the names of recipients of various scholarship awards being announced at the breakfast following the performance of the KCC Orchestra.
Donors include the Waipa Foundation, Po‘ipu Beach Resort Association and Hawai‘i Community Foundation.
Scholarships include Jaime Mararagan getting the Kukui‘ula Development prize, Kyle Garma being named the recipient of the ACF Kaua‘i Chapter awards along with Zak Hee, Royden Pasion, Cllyve Racelo, Charles Rualizo, Alicia Hayakawa and Rina Takabayashi.
Kaleo Meatoga, Dakota Cun-Lara and Christian Estraza are KCC second-year culinary students named recipients of the Rotary Club of Po‘ipu Beach scholarships, and the Chris Watase scholarship recipient from a Westside high school is Edmelle Medina. Tevyn Hardesty was the recipient during the fall semester.
Erika-Joy Corbillion is the recipient of the Roy and Francine Donahue scholarship, and Maybel Satumba is the recipient of the Fries Scholarship provided by Richard and Rebecca Fries.
Nainoa Nishikawa was announced the recipient of Hawaii Gas scholarship, and Alexis-Youn Esona was a double winner, being the recipient of the Phyllis Jean Gondring award and the Hawai‘i Lodging &Tourism Association culinary-arts scholarship.
Other HLTA scholarship recipients include Jason Asher, Nesta Ellrod and Ezra Morales.
“Conrad left us before we could pick his brain,” Nishi said. “He was a great chef with great vision.”
Nonaka was the second director of the Culinary Institute of the Pacific, where graduates with associate’s degrees can continue their education to the advanced professional certificate at community colleges. A fourth year leading to a bachelor’s degree is done at the University of Hawai‘i West O‘ahu campus.
KCC Chancellor Joe Daisy, only two weeks into his job, was busy meeting community leaders and finding treasures among the pottery sale hosted by the “Pot Heads.”
•••
Dennis Fujimoto, staff writer and photographer, can be reached at 245-0453 or dfujimoto@thegardenisland.com.
