PUHI — The Kaua‘i Community College culinary arts program recently earned an “exemplary” designation from the American Culinary Federation Education Foundation Accrediting Commission, KCC instructor Billy Gibson said Tuesday. To qualify, a program must not have had any areas of
PUHI — The Kaua‘i Community College culinary arts program recently earned an “exemplary” designation from the American Culinary Federation Education Foundation Accrediting Commission, KCC instructor Billy Gibson said Tuesday.
To qualify, a program must not have had any areas of noncompliance during the last visiting renewal team report, states a letter in late July notifying KCC of the designation. Accredited programs receive a seven-year grant.
“This status is terrific,” Gibson said. “It says our program is with ‘it,’ compared to the 80-plus schools that have been re-accredited.”
The renewal team during its onsite visit determines through a checklist and comparison of the program to the nationally recognized ACFEFAC standards that the program has substantially met the required eight areas: eligibility, program mission and goals, organization and administration, faculty and staff, curriculum, facilities, student services and assessment.
Gibson, who supervises the fine dining program, said among the students working to prepare cuisine for lunchtime diners are three recent recipients of scholarships from the Rotary Club of Po‘ipu Beach.
James DeCann, Cameron Zulevic and Jillian Nakashima each received scholarships of $1,600, presented during a recent Rotary Club meeting in Po‘ipu.
“We get $800 this semester and another $800 for the next semester,” said Nakashima, who also works at the Bubba Burgers in Po‘ipu.
DeCann also balances his school schedule by working at Mark’s Place, Contemporary Flavors Catering and the Grand Hyatt Kaua‘i Resort and Spa.
Zulevic is employed at Duke’s at Kalapaki Beach.
All three students were working on cranking out homemade pasta which will be used on an upcoming KCC dining facility menu.
The popular fine dining program — one facet of the college’s culinary arts program — started up again last week.
“Normally, we use Monday as a prep day, but because of the holiday, Tuesday is our prep day this week, and dining goes Wednesday and Thursday,” Gibson said.
The KCC culinary arts program will have a special emblem placed next to its program information on the ACF website as part of its exemplary status.
For more information, visit www.kauai.hawaii.edu, or to make reservations (highly recommended) for the fine dining program with starts seating at 11 a.m., call 245-8365.
