KAILUA-KONA — Hawaii Community College — Palamanui’s culinary arts program aims to give students the tools they need in order to succeed in the food industry.
“Before (the program was created), these kids didn’t have a way to gain the skills they need,” said Nancy Ginter-Miller, who believes that having access to a culinary program is important to the people on the west side of the island.
Ginter-Miller is the event coordinator for Culinary Arts Under the Stars, an annual benefit for the college’s culinary arts program sponsored by the American Culinary Federation Kona Kohala Chefs Association. It also offers a way for the students to showcase those skills to a wide audience on the Big Island alongside area chefs.
The event, in its fifth year, begins at 5:30 p.m. this evening at Kings’ Shops at Waikoloa Beach Resort. Tickets are $45 in advance and $50 at the door. Wine and beer scrip will also be available.
In addition to the cuisine offered, a silent auction will also take place to benefit the American Culinary Federation’s Chef and Child nutrition program. There will also be live entertainment by Grammy Award-winning slack key guitarist Sonny Lim.
Paul Heerlein, a culinary instructor at Hawaii Community College — Palamanui and a graduate of the culinary program, will be one of the chefs participating in the event. Heerlein said Culinary Arts Under the Stars is special because of the collection of local chefs involved.
“It’s high school students, college students, and the industry all working together,” said Heerlein.
The culinary arts program at Palamanui gives students a chance to learn more than just cooking; it also introduces students to important aspects of being a chef such as the economic and business sides of running a restaurant, said Heerlein.
“At this program, they learn everything,” he said. “And those concepts are hugely important.”
The program helps to create what Heerlein called a “seamless transition” from student to chef.
Area chefs who are graduates of the college’s culinary program include Ash Danao from Daylight Mind Coffee Co. and Darcy Ambrosio from A-Bay’s Island Grill. Both chefs are participating in Culinary Arts Under the Stars this year.
Other participants include Lava Lava Beach Club, Sansei Seafood, Steakhouse &Sushi Bar, Roy’s Waikoloa Bar &Grill, Mai Grille, The Koa Table and Same Canoe Local Food, among others. Konawaena High School’s Culinary Arts Program students will man an Icee station while Palamanui students will offer up savory and dessert samples.
Tickets can be purchased online at www.konakohalachefs.org. If paying with cash or check, tickets can be bought at Maui Divers at Kings’ Shops, and Kona Wine Market, The Spoon Shop and Kona Coffee &Tea in Kailua-Kona.
Info/tickets: Visit www.konakohalachefs.org.