The culinary class of female inmates at the Women’s Community Correctional Center (WCCC) hosted its Winter Banquet Celebration on Dec. 4 to feature some of the cuisine members learned to create. ADVERTISING The culinary class of female inmates at the
The culinary class of female inmates at the Women’s Community Correctional Center (WCCC) hosted its Winter Banquet Celebration on Dec. 4 to feature some of the cuisine members learned to create.
The class is taught by chef Lee Shinsato of Kapiolani Community College. This banquet was the class’ midterm exam.
The banquet theme was exotic cuisine that takes you around the United States.
Their dishes included Chicken Panzanella Salad, Herbed Haricot Vert, Miso Edamame Fried Rice, Chicken Roulade, Banh Mi Sliders, Stuffed Aburage Purses and a Raspberry Cheesecake Parfait.
This menu was created by the students in the beginner class. The women work their way through an intermediate level class and an advanced class.
Once all three levels are completed, they graduate from the culinary program and receive a certificate from Kapiolani Community College.
They also earn 14 credits that will appear in their University of Hawaii transcripts.
“This culinary program gives the women real-life job skills, but it’s not just about that,” said state Public Safety Director Ted Sakai. “It gives their lives purpose and teaches them self-esteem and a higher focus.
“When these women leave prison, they will be able to find advanced jobs in the culinary field that will help them stay on the right path so they don’t come back to prison.”
Graduation is scheduled for May.
