Hawaii: KCC Student Chefs
Not your typical school lunch...
During my trip to O'ahu, I was invited to lunch at the Kapiolani Community College (KCC) Culinary Arts' restaurant, Ka 'Ikena Laua'e. In Hawaiian, "Ka 'Ikena Laua'e" translates into "many minds striving towards the vision". You can follow them @KCCCulinaryArts.
Ka 'Ikena Laua'e is a restaurant where food is prepared and served by students. It reminded me of the many times I prepared/served food as a culinary student/intern; getting yelled at in different languages, but also the chance to meet top-notch culinary professionals.
@LinhChic always posts delicious looking pictures from the Ka 'Ikena Laua'e , so it was a special treat for @Melissa808 and me to join her for lunch.
See What Jay Eats...
While looking over the menu,
in-house rolls were served.
Or is that "in-school"?
Or is that "in-school"?
Today's Lunch Menu
Too many good choices...
Since I worked for a French Kitchen gadget company
and haven't had a good en Papilotte since,
I opted for the Snapper en Papilotte.
Papilotte is a French cooking technique
(in parchment paper)
similar to using ti leaves to steam laulau or moi.
1st Course
Goat Cheese Tart and Tomato Vinaigrette Salad
A very nice goat cheese tart...
Our entrées arrived table side
and served by our student servers
It was really nice to see students learning
fine dining service.
My "Snapper en Papilotte"
being plated table side
Snapper en Papilotte, Sauce Beurre Blanc
Grilled Shrimp, Wilted Greens, and Roast Fingerling Potatoes
Yes, I made the right choice!
Missing from the photo is the Beurre Blanc sauce...
@Melissa808 ordered the
Honey Citrus Glazed Roast Cornish Game Hen
Creamy Polenta and Wilted Greens
The hen was cooked just right and juicy...
@LinhChic had the
Fisherman's Stew
Fish, Shrimp, Lobster Medallion, Scallops and Clams stewed in a
Saffron broth with Braised Fennel and Potatoes,
Served with Garlic Crostini and Spicy Rouille
A great selection of seafood in a Saffron broth
All entrees were tasty, but now it's
Dessert Time!
The dessert cart
had quite a selection
but we didn't need a lot of time deciding...
Créme Caramel
with fruit
Pecan Pie
It was great to hear that the herbs were grown on campus,
right near the restaurant.
The students did a great job, a bit nervous tho.
But as a student, this is where you learn.
But as a student, this is where you learn.
Will have to come back for dinner now...
If you're visiting the O'ahu,
go see what the local culinary students are up to,
Lunch prepared by
Chef Kusuma Cooray and students
Dining Room Service by
Instructor Aaron Chau and Students
Desserts by
Chef Dan Wetter and Students
on the campus of Kapiolani Community College
4303 Diamond Head Road
Honolulu, HI 96816
(808) 734-9499
Mahalo!
Aaron Chau
NOTE: I was a guest in Honolulu of the Hawai'i Visitors and Convention Bureau,
O'ahu Visitors Bureau, and their partners on this trip.
All comments and opinions are strictly my own.
Photos by Jay Terauchi
Jay Eats
©Jay Terauchi
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