Leeward CC’s annual L’ulu fundraiser
Leeward Community College’s Culinary Arts Program hosted its annual gala fundraiser, L’ulu, at the college’s award-winning restaurant The Pearl and surrounding perimeter on Saturday, May 7, 2016. The event supports the Culinary Arts Program and serves as an educational opportunity for the students who aspire to pursue careers in the industry.
The students worked alongside professional chefs to cook, plate and serve the delectable dishes to hungry attendees. Featured chefs included O‘ahu’s most notable chefs, including Leeward Community College’s own Ron de Guzman who graduated from the Culinary Arts Program and is currently the executive chef at Stage Restaurant in Honolulu.
The perpetual theme of L’ulu is the future of food sustainability. The event heightens awareness of the natural resources of our islands and Hawai‘i’s food sustainability initiatives. The participating chefs partnered with local farmers, ranchers and aquaculturists to create offerings that included fresh, local and diverse products.
Featured chefs and restaurants included:
- Jeff Wind and Ron Villoria, Aulani, A Disney Resort & Spa
- Chai Chaowasaree, Chef Chai
- Jesse Cruz, Lucky Belly
- Wade Ueoka and Michelle Karr-Ueoka, MW Restaurant
- Dean Okimoto, Nalo Farms
- Troy Terorotua, REAL a gastropub
- Roy Yamaguchi and Darryl Shinogi, Roy’s Ko Olina
- D.K. Kodama, Sansei Seafood Restaurant & Sushi Bar
- Ron de Guzman, Stage
- Ian Riseley, The Pearl
- Andrew Le, The Pig & The Lady
- Ronnie Nasuti, Tiki’s Grill & Bar
- Lance Kosaka, Top of Waikiki