A alumna placed first in the provincial competition held at the campus in April. Maribeth Ganiron, who graduated in 2019 with an associate in science degree in , impressed judges with her finesse and innovative dishes.
Five young chefs showcased their skills for the 2024 Hawaiʻi/Pacific Islands Province title.
Her winning dishes included:
- Appetizer: Butter Poached Sea Bass with Brown-Butter Cream Sauce, Gnocchi, Tomato Salsa & Basil Oil
- Entrée: Seared Venison Tenderloin with Red Wine Demi Sauce, Herb Roasted Fingerling Potatoes & Haricot Verts
- Dessert: Brandy Flambe Apple Tart with Lemon Pastry Cream & Cinnamon-Salted Caramel
Ganiron finished second in the same competition last year. Encouraged by her mentor, Chef Eric Leterc of The Pacific Club, she decided to compete and demonstrate her growth.
She credits Leeward CC, particularly the Contemporary Cuisine class and Chef and Assistant Professor Matt Egami’s guidance, with honing her skills.
“The one class that I believed prepared me for this competition was Contemporary Cuisine. I distinctly remember Chef Matt telling me that I needed to take pride in my knife cuts and not finish it just to finish it,” Ganiron said. “That has resonated with me ever since, and it is part of who I am as a cook today.”
In June, Ganiron will travel to compete in the nationals in Washington, aiming to further her culinary journey and expand her repertoire.
“Going to Seattle to compete in the nationals will hopefully allow me to work with ingredients that I am probably not familiar with and really push me to my limits,” Ganiron remarked. “Not only can I showcase my talents in places other than Hawaiʻi, but I can use this experience to gain more knowledge that I can use in my career in the future.”
Egami said Ganiron always possessed a “quiet inner strength and fire” as a Leeward CC culinary student.
“It is especially gratifying to see her growth throughout her time with us at Leeward and now beyond as she embarks on her career,” said Egami. “I am so proud of Maribeth, she is a great example of what our students are capable of!”