On Saturday, December 9, the American Culinary Federation (ACF) Kona Kohala Chefs Association celebrated six recent scholarship winners. The ceremony was held at the fully booked Christmas with the Chefs gala, located on the grounds of Courtyard by Marriott King Kamehameha’s Kona Beach Hotel.
According to a press release published on Big Island Now, the scholarship recipients are Trinity Tavares, Exon Pimentero, Nina Stuart, Minnie Pira, Shanley Tabios, and Mallory Javillonar. All of them are local culinary students furthering their education at Hawai‘i Community College-Pālamanui.
The press release explains that the annual gala serves dual purposes in promoting West Hawai‘i’s culinary industry. The first objective is to generate funds to provide scholarships for culinary students at Hawai‘i Community College—Pālamanui and support local high school students entering culinary school for the first time. Continuing culinary students have until Dec. 31 to apply for Kona Kohala Chefs scholarships.
The second key aim of the gala's silent auction is to benefit the HCC-Pālamanui culinary program through the ACF Kona Kohala Chefs and Jean Hull Endowment fund. According to the press release, this fund was established in 2015 and aids in arranging guest speakers, travel to student competitions, and procurement of modern culinary equipment and supplies for students. They reported a total fund distribution of approximately $900,000 up till now.
The 33rd Christmas with the Chefs has been scheduled for Saturday, Dec. 7, 2024, as per the press release.
The ACF Kona Kohala Chefs Association was established in 1980. As per the release's information, The Kona Kohala chapter comprises food service professionals, vendors, growers and culinary enthusiasts. More information can be accessed at www.konakohalachefs.org.