November 2022
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Your Support Feeds Success



Support HCEF on National #givingtuesday with a donation. HCEF programming reached over 7,000 culinary students and professionals in 2022

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Executive Chef Kalych Padro
Mauna Lani Executive Chef Kalych Padro shared the flavors of Puerto Rico and his culinary heritage with Hawaii Island high school and Palamanui culinary students.

Chef Padro connected Puerto Rican cuisine to Hawaii's plantation days. He illustrated how traditional recipes changed once in the Islands based upon ingredient availability. In his visual presentation, Chef Padro explained Puerto Rican history, culture, and geography.

Chef Padro demonstrated and involved the students in the preparation of his family's recipes featuring the flavors of Latin America: Mofongo (Puerto Rican dish, green plantains), Fufu (Cuban dish, ripe plantains), Mangu (Dominican Republic dish, green plantains), and Shrimp / Chicken Stew.

Chef Padro was assisted by Mauna Lani Chef de Cuisine Mark Libunao, a graduate of the UH Hawaii Community College Culinary program.
Chef Padro began his culinary career in Puerto Rico. He opened and worked at top properties through South and Central America from Peru to Panama. He was the Executive Chef for the Los Angeles Convention Center & Staples Center. Prior to coming to Hawaii, Chef Padro was the Culinary Director of the Hard Rock Resort & Casino in Punta Cana, Domican Republic.
 
High School Mentoring
Kapa Hale Chef Keaka Lee mentored at his alma mater Kalani High School. He demonstrated pasta making, shared culinary techniques, discussed his passion for working with local ingredients, and shared his culinary path. Culinary Teacher, Janice Miyoshi
Mahalo to Marriott for their support of Chef Mentoring

Chef Mentoring in Action

Duke's Waikiki Executive Chef Matt Young and Duke's culinary team members / Farrington graduates Kekoa Hussey, Brent Cabbab, and Alex Yalap presented a round robin of classes for sixty-five Farrington High School culinary students.

The sessions focused on the culinary industry, local produce tasting, sustainability, palate and flavor exploration, fish fabrication, poke taco and fish taco cooking demonstrations.
Culinary Teachers: Tracy Hatanaka and Melinda Korenaga. Photos: Farrington Culinary Teacher Tracy Hatanaka  
Windward Community College Workforce Development Coordinator Chef Dan Swift mentored Kalaheo High School. Chef Swift spent the day teaching and sharing his extensive culinary experience with the 165 students. They baked shortbread cookies learning from his expertise in the process.
Culinary Teacher, Cat Dichner
Leilani's (Kaanapali Maui) Executive Chef Ryan Luckey mentored at his alma mater Lahainaluna High School this past semester teaching several classes. One class focused on flavor and tasting. By far the most popular class involved creating the famous Hula (ice cream) Pie.
Culinary Teacher, Colin Delos Reyes. Photo: Leilani's










Chef Dan Swift at Kalaheo High School
Join us in supporting culinary education! Your support FEEDS SUCCESS.


Sincerely,

Hayley Matson Mathes
Hawaii Culinary Education Foundation