Here are some updates about the Hawaii Community College’s Palamanui Culinary Program in Kona.
The outdoor dining facility is nearing completion, hoping to open in January 2025. Upon completion, the culinary students will be offering sit-down prix fixe menus featuring classical cuisine.
Palamanui has partnered with Konawaena High School and started the Early College Konawaena Culinary Academy, with the first graduates slated for 2026.
The Early College High School (ECHS) program allows high school students to earn both high school and college credits simultaneously. This dual-credit program is designed to give students a head start on higher education by allowing them to take college courses while still in high school, typically at no cost to them. These courses are offered in partnership with the University of Hawaii system, including community colleges and universities.
The goal of the program is to increase college readiness and reduce the time and cost of obtaining a degree. It’s particularly beneficial for students from underrepresented backgrounds in higher education, providing them with the opportunity to explore college-level work and adjust to the demands of post-secondary education while still in a supportive high school environment.
On Thursday and Friday, October 17-18, the Palamanui culinary students will be assisting some of the best chefs in North America and Hawaii at the Hawaii Food and Wine Festival. This year the event is at Mauna Kea Beach Hotel. If you are interested in attending, check out their website: https://hawaiifoodandwinefestival.com/
On October 19, the students will demonstrate a few dishes at the 50th anniversary of NELHA. They will be located at the upper campus. Please stop by to support the students.
On November 3, the students will be participating in the KTA Super Stores Kona Coffee Festival Recipe Contest at the Outrigger Keauhou Resort. For more information about the Kona Coffee Festival, check up their website https://tinyurl.com/4hfj69r4.
Stay tuned for Thanksgiving dessert menu specials. When I get the information for ordering, I will let you all know.
Tips for healthy eating
Are you watching how much you eat? Here are some tips to help you.
Eat slowly and savor your food. I always tell my grandchildren to slow down, that they are not in a race. I remember saying the same thing to my three sons as they raced to eat and hopefully were able to eat the leftovers from their younger brother’s plate. It takes a few minutes for your stomach to relay signals of satiety.
Forget about cleaning your plate! Okinawans eat till they are 80 percent full, not till they are stuffed and they are among the healthiest in the world.
I thought this was interesting. In a Wansink study, it was found that you will eat 18 percent more mashed potatoes on a white plate than if they are served on a plate that offers more contrast. The reason is that the higher the contrast, the more aware you are of how big your serving is. Warsink suggests using darker plates when eating potatoes or pasta, which will help you eat less.
Warnink suggests always placing your food on a dish so you will know exactly how much you are eating. When you eat straight from the package, like potato chips, they found that you will eat 20 to 30 percent more. If your bag is bigger, you will consume even more. It is a good idea to re-package snacks in individual containers or snack-sized zip lock bags.
Wansink claims that if you buy a large bucket of popcorn at the theater, you will eat 53 percent more than if you bought a medium-sized bucket. It is just human nature to eat more when there is more.
Email Audrey Wilson at audreywilson808@gmail.com.