Sponsored by Kapiolani Community College

Team Hawaii from Kapiolani Community College will be competing in the American Culinary Federation National Culinary Finals on August 6, 2019, in Orlando, Florida. The team of five culinary students, led by Chef Jason Peel, will compete against three other regional finalists in the elite competition.

“We really want to showcase what Hawaii has to offer,” Chef Peel says. “We want to show the nation what Kapiolani Community College students have to offer as far as becoming the next great chefs.”

Team Hawaii has been preparing for the big event throughout the last year and will have 110 minutes to prepare four dishes for the judges. “This is their second time in three years that they’re going to represent Hawaii and our school,” Chef Peel explains. “It’s really great to have this opportunity and do it through Kapiolani Community College.”

The American Culinary Federation is now the largest, highly respected professional chefs’ organization in North America with more than 15,000 members belonging to more than 150 chapters in four regions and represents the United State in major international competitions.

“We’re playing to win,” Chef Peel says. He explains that the four-course meal the team has planned is pretty intensive for the 110 minutes they have to prepare. The menu must also consist of a modern twist on the classical dish filet de sole veronique.

Meet Team Hawaii:

Greg Gamayo, Jr.

Gamayo is from Kalihi, Oahu. Upon graduating from the Culinary Program, he aspires to explore various culinary techniques and grow his current skills in preparation for his eventual goal to open his own restaurant.

Kainoa Reloza

Reloza is from Sacramento, California. His eventual goal is to open a food truck or bakery in California. “I haven’t put too much thought into the kind of food I would like to sell because my vision is always changing.”

Xiaoling Cheng

Cheng is from Beijing, China, and as a recent graduate of the Culinary Program, she will be entering into the four-year degree Culinology Program at the University of Hawaii Manoa.

Ethan Momohara

Momohara is from Honolulu, Hawaii, and plans to work in various restaurants and work his way up within the culinary industry. After gaining experience within the industry, he would also like to teach culinary classes.

Ritchie Wong

Wong is from Honolulu and plans to move to Japan to study new techniques and increase his knowledge of Japanese culinary cuisine.

For more information: kapiolani.hawaii.edu/teamhawaii, or on Facebook and Instagram: @kccculinary