Renowned culinary program elevates the game in Hawaii; Sparking hope for renewed workforce

HONOLULU(KHON2) — Kapiolani Community Colleges Culinary Arts Program kicks-off its fall semester soon with renewed vigor. Grant Itomitsu, the department chair, said the goal is to change the face of culinary education.

“A lot of the things we’re trying to do now is step out of the kitchen, onto the farms, going to different countries. Just last year we went to Barcelona. We took 10 students, including students from Leeward,” Itomitsu said. “We need them to be able to transition and pivot to their passion.”

According to Itomitsu, enrollment in the culinary arts program at KCC dipped after the pandemic but has remained fairly steady since.

Leeward Community Colleges culinary program saw a similar dip in 2020 enrollment and has also leveled off.

He said the goal is always to entice more people to embrace culinary arts.

World renowned Chef Roy Yamaguchi, executive director of KCC’s Culinary Institute of the Pacific (CIP) said their collaborating with the Culinary Institute of America (CIA) elevates their game.

“CIA being the world premier college, culinary college, we’re now able to step it up more,” Yamaguchi explained.

He said creating a work-force development program rooted in Hawaiian culture and cuisine ensures a robust pipeline of talent for years to come.

Itomitsu said they are continuing to expand the program and even be opening a professionally run restaurant on the campus that will be open year round.

“It really is about giving them real world experiences but in a way that supports them so they continue to grow their passion for the industry,” Itomitsu said.

Sheryl Matsuoka, president and CEO of the Hawaii Restaurant Association, said the new programs couldn’t come at a better time with restaurants continuing to struggle with staffing shortages.

“As I poll the restaurants, they’re saying to me that, at least in when you look at all the restaurants across the state, there’s at least 60% of the positions are in the kitchen,” Matsuoka explained. “So programs like the Culinary Institute of the Pacific is so welcome.”

Yamaguchi said the culinary program will give budding chefs a solid foundation and hopes it will help them find their passion.

“Something to do with food service, to me, can be life changing.”

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CIP plans to offer a total of 24 specialized classes over the next few years. Applications for the first two classes will be open until August 1.