Marukan Cup of Culinary Excellence competition showcases student skills and program

Culinary arts students and judgesCerritos College's culinary arts program, in collaboration with Marukan Vinegar (USA) Inc., hosted the seventh annual Marukan Cup of Culinary Excellence. After a four-year hiatus due to the pandemic, the event returned to celebrate the 51st anniversary of the culinary arts program, honoring five decades of culinary education and excellence.

The competition featured 12 talented culinary arts students who showcased their skills by creating dishes inspired by various regions and culinary themes, incorporating Marukan Vinegar as a key ingredient. The event drew over 200 spectators, with industry judges providing professional feedback to select the top three winners.

First Place: Antonio Yarza
Prize: $1,000
Theme: French Nouveau
Dish: Potato-crusted halibut with saffron Béarnaise sauce, asparagus tips, and asparagus sauce with a mushroom tourné

Second Place: Danika Yi
Prize: $500
Theme: Hawaiian
Dish: Huli-Huli Chicken (Frenched chicken breast braised and grilled with sweet-savory sauce), served with rice folded with Hawaiian yam puree and Thai papaya salad

Third Place: Gisselle Mendez
Prize: $250
Theme: Southeast Asian
Dish: Asian flank steak topped with a citrusy sauce, served with saffron rice, coleslaw with an Asian sweet and spicy vinaigrette, and coconut sambal potatoes, garnished with toasted sesame seeds and green onions

“We congratulate Antonio, Danika, and Gisselle for their remarkable achievements and thank all participants for their hard work and dedication to the craft,” said Jesusita Lopez, assistant professor and chair of culinary arts.