PUHI — “It’s open!” A group of Kauai Community College staff workers smiled in the gusty tradewinds. “Today is the first day the cafeteria is open.”
Tuesday marked the first day the Kauai Community College cafeteria opened for business.
“Show them they’re welcome,” said Marty Amaro of the KCC Culinary Arts Department. “They’re your customers, and we want them to feel good about eating here.”
Under the guidance of Chef Instructor George Levendis, Culinary Arts students run the cafeteria on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays from 8:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Levendis said on the days the cafeteria is open, breakfast is served from 8:30 to 10 a.m. Lunch is served from 10 a.m. until closing at 1 p.m.
In addition to the four lunch choices on Tuesday, the students offered a pasta station featuring three different styles of pasta.
KCC student Natalie Etrata served as sous chef for Tuesday and highlighted one of the day’s special salad offerings, while chef student Neil Edmands carefully emerged from the kitchen with Marty’s lunch special — a club sandwich.
“That’s my lunch,” Amaro said. “Don’t drop it.”
Levendis said the cafeteria will be operating through the month of November, and the cafeteria’s operation is based on the college’s fall semester calendar.
Chantal Zarbaugh of the college’s Development Office said she had the chicken special before attending a special scholarship presentation at the Fine Dining facility. During that event, the Rotary Club of Poipu Beach presented $6,000 in scholarships to three KCC Culinary Arts students.
KCC students Lexi Jasmine Bonachita-Taniguchi, Kaelyn Banquel and Racyn Ruiz — part of the Fine Dining crew under guidance from instructors Nalani Kaneakua and Beth Haddock — received $2,000 scholarships apiece from the Rotary Club of Poipu.
“The Rotary Club does more than just scholarships for Nursing department students,” said Rotary Club Poipu president Mike Curtis. “Now, let’s get back to eating.”
Source: The Garden Island
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