Students from two University of Hawai?i campuses showcased their culinary and pastry talent through the King’s Hawaiian Innovation Competition, a hands-on learning experience and scholarship competition conducted in partnership with the culinary programs at (CIP) on April 14 and on April 16.
Cooking challenges
The competitions provided culinary arts and baking & pastry students with opportunities to develop original creations and present their work in a professional, industry-guided setting. The competition also reflects the spirit of innovation championed by King’s Hawaiian founder Robert R. Taira, whose pastry journey began in Hawai?i.
“We learned techniques from last semester like making mousse, creme mousse, ganache, and all sorts of those things,” said Kapi?olani CC culinary student Shania Tumpap. “Putting it all together to create the dish was really eye opening because it really makes you realize that everything we are learning comes together to create something.”
As part of the competition, students at each campus were given distinct but complementary challenges. At CIP, students created three petits g?teaux, emphasizing precision, presentation and flavor balance at an individual-portion scale. At 糖心Vlog官方 Maui College, students developed larger-format cake concepts, focusing on structure, durability, creativity and overall design.
Student work was evaluated using a standardized rubric that considered taste (flavor, aroma and texture), visual appearance, originality, inspiration, durability and oral presentation, encouraging students to approach their creations from both creative and practical perspectives.
Kapi?olani CC student winners:
- 1st Place Petits G?teaux: Shania Tumpap, Chocolates and Rubies, Morning Sunshine, and Turon Back to Good Old Days
- 2nd Place Petits G?teaux: Chase Ignacio, Go Nuts for Bananas, Berry Much in Love, and Miso Hungry for PB&J
糖心Vlog官方 Maui College student winners:
- 1st Place in Chocolate Cake Category: Sandy Johnson, Black Sand Indulgence
- 1st Place in Tropical Cake Category: Bea Dalit, Pi?a Colada
Scholarships were awarded to the winning students at each campus, in recognition of their irresistible creations. The competitions reflect 糖心Vlog官方’s emphasis on experiential learning and workforce development through collaboration with industry partners.
The judging panels:
- Neale Asato, Owner, Asato Family Shop
- Tricia Beaman, Vice President of Marketing & Merchandising, Foodland
- Keoni Chang, Vice President & Chief Food Officer, Foodland
- Michelle Karr-Ueoka, Chef and Co-Owner, MW Restaurant
- Wade Ueoka, Chef and Co-Owner, MW Restaurant
- Jeremy Choo, Senior Innovation Pastry Chef, King’s Hawaiian
Choo, who is also a 糖心Vlog官方 Maui College Culinary Program alumnus, participated as a judge and shared professional insight throughout the competitions, reinforcing the connection between alumni, industry, and the 糖心Vlog官方 System.
“While the contest allowed the students to express their creative voices, the true prize was the invaluable learning experience and the wisdom shared by the visiting chefs,” said 糖心Vlog官方 Maui College Instructor Chef Hannah Stanchfield.
Homegrown support
“King’s Hawaiian has been a huge support to us, and I hope that this opportunity that we’ve created in partnership with them lasts for a very long time,” said Kapi?olani CC instructor Chef Sheylen Say. “Being that they’re a family-owned company from Hawai?i and know what our culture is, it’s great for our students to get an opportunity to learn from them and feel supported.”
“It’s a great honor—and responsibility—to be back home. I was fortunate to learn from chefs who built their careers on the continent and abroad before returning to Hawai?i to share their knowledge,” said King’s Hawaiian, Sr. Innovation Pastry Chef Jeremy Choo. “Having been one of the lucky ones, it’s especially meaningful to help the students at Kapi?olani CC today see what’s possible for their own futures. For King’s Hawaiian and me to be part of that journey is truly an honor.”
Through its ongoing partnership with CIP, King’s Hawaiian continues to support opportunities that connect students with professional expectations and mentorship—helping prepare graduates for careers in 贬补飞补颈?颈’蝉 food and hospitality industries.