PUHI — Where’s the Spam?
Spam Lindsey, a coach with the Kapaa High School basketball team, wanted to know Sunday after volunteering to shuttle diners from the parking lot to the dining area at the American Culinary Federation Kauai Chapter 33rd annual Breakfast at Kauai Community College.
“I’ve got to talk to these people,” Lindsey said. “Where is the Spam?”
Lindsey and members of the Warrior basketball program were among the volunteers who helped crank out more than 1,200 meals under the canopy of overcast skies and punctuations of rain that failed to dampen the fun of the biggest
breakfast on the island.
“The students are busy working,” said chef Martina Hilldorfer, an
instructor with the KCC culinary-arts program. “Traditionally, we gave them a break so they could come up on stage and be recognized as recipients of the many scholarships. But there is so much to do this year, they’re busy working.”
Proceeds from the annual breakfast help the college with scholarships for culinary-arts students, procure equipment, and help with expenses in getting students to off-island competitions where they further hone their culinary skills.
Students earning Kauai Culinary scholarships include King Blanes, Charles Butay, Dakota Cun-Lara, Mark Damo, Christian Estraza, Sunny Geiger, Zach Hee, Jamie Mararagan, James Mostoles, Shelby Taogoshi, Rina Takabayashi and Jimmy Williams.
Taogoshi, who was busy preparing an omelet for her mother, additionally was acknowledged the recipient of a $300 award from Dr. Bill Gondring and Phyllis Jean Gondring.
Kyle Garma, also busy on the made-to-order omelet station, was announced the winner of the $1,000 ACF Kauai Chapter scholarship, being recognized alongside last year’s winner Kona Brown.
Royden Pasion, also working the omelet station, was noted as the recipient of a $750 scholarship from Roy and Francine Donahue, and Russell Winkelman, the operations manager of Hawaii Gas, noted that Kaleo Meatoga is the recipient of the firm’s $1,000 scholarship.
Tevyn Hardesty was the recipient of a $2,000 scholarship from the Chris Watase Fund for Westside high school graduates, and Paul Toner of the Kauai Marriott Resort &Beach Club and the Hawaii Lodging &Tourism Association reminded diners of the upcoming Visitor Industry Charity Walk, where more awards await the college and its culinary-arts program.
All the while, guests to the biggest brunch settled in for good breakfast eating with generous helpings of music from the various KCC musical groups under the direction of Sarah Tochiki, and the sounds of excitement from shoppers finding that special something among the ceramics sale hosted by students of Wayne Miyata, and various other KCC crafters.
