The first Hawaii Master Food Preserver course to be held on Kaua‘i happened this past February at Waipā, and now, another one is tentatively scheduled for July.

The course is taught by Ken Love, Executive Director of the Hawai‘i Tropical Fruit Growers and President of American Culinary Federation Kona Kohala Chefs Association. In February, the Waipā ‘Ohana Kitchen became the classroom for 12 participants who spent 8 days learning various techniques and topics during the course.

Topics included food safety, knife skills, and work/flow in a professional setting. Using Kaua‘i grown fruit and vegetables, participants learned how to make jellies, jams, marmalades, chutneys, marinara, and canning of carrots and beans. Cucumber tsukemono and sauerkraut were part of the fermentation and pickling section of the course.

Learning how to use a high-pressure steamer, the group preserved ahi and chicken. Chef Paul Heerlein from UH West Hawaii Community College taught sausage making and other styles of meat preparation. Dehydration, freezing, along with proper vacuum sealing was also covered.

Upon their successful completion of the final exam, participants received a certificate of completion certifying their new title as a Hawaii Master Food Preserver.

Another Master Food Preserver course is tentatively scheduled to occur at Waipa in July. For more information or to be put on the email list to receive notices about training opportunities and events, you can email us at waipaonline@waipafoundation.org.

Pictured from Top to Bottom:

Ken Love (front, right) instructs students, students practicing, finished products, close up of pickled cucumbers.

Waipā invites north shore parents and youth (ages 15-18 in grades 9-12) to attend the Limahana Program orientation on October 7 at 5:30 p.m. to find out more about our after-school work training program. This program offers youth a chance to get work experience (they are paid $7.50 / hr) while gaining valuable life skills and learning about the Hawaiian culture and environmental stewardship.

Limahana offers youth a chance to connect with caring adult mentors, learn valuable lessons about on the job ethics and team work, experience the joys of working outdoors while they learn about natural resources, work with younger youth and help to grow food!

Our Fall Session will run this year from October 24th until December 16th, 2011.

During this time, participants will have the option of working 2-3 days after-school on a project of their choice.

Participants MUST APPLY and be accepted into the program. To get more information and an application, please come to the Limahana orientation on October 7, 5:30 – 7:00 pm.

Questions? 826-9969