Marukan Cup of Culinary Excellence competition showcases student skills and program
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: December 13, 2024
Media Contact: Aya Aoki; Public Relations and Communications
NORWALK, Calif. – December 13, 2024 – Cerritos 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.
The Cerritos College Culinary Arts Program offers pathways to prepare students for careers in the professional food service industry. Students can earn certificates and associate of science degrees in professional cooking, professional baking & pastry, and culinary arts management. The program also offers two associate of science for transfer degrees in food service management and hospitality management, providing a pathway to transfer to CSULB or Cal Poly Pomona to complete a bachelor’s degree in hospitality management. For more information about the program and upcoming events, visit www.cerritos.edu/culinary-arts/
About Cerritos College: Cerritos College serves as a comprehensive community college for southeastern Los Angeles County. Communities within the college’s district include Artesia, Bellflower, Cerritos, Downey, Hawaiian Gardens, La Mirada, Norwalk, and portions of Bell Gardens, Lakewood, Long Beach, Santa Fe Springs and South Gate. Cerritos College offers nearly 300 degrees and certificates in nine divisions. Annually, more than 5,000 students successfully complete their course of studies, and enrollment currently averages 21,000 students. Visit Cerritos College online at www.cerritos.edu.
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