The Kapiolani Community College Culinary Team took first place in the 2013 American Culinary Federation Western Regional Championship tonight in Coeur D’Alene, Id.
“This is really a testament to the quality, hard word and dedication of our students, staff and faculty,” said KCC Chancellor Dr. Leon Richards.
California took second place in the competition, followed by Oregon, Washington, Colorado, Arizona and Montana.
The KCC team was composed of students Joy Yamane, Ian Sagayama, Emi Akiyama, Bickna Sim and Hwanjae Lee and coaches Dave Brown and Grant Sato.
The team will next compete in the national championships held during the ACF National Convention, July 21 to 25, at the Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas.
KCC’s culinary competition teams have took second place in regional competition in 2010 and 2012 and first place in 2009. The 2009 team went on to win the ACF National Championship.