Darryl Dela Cruz is the chef at Maui Community College, where he has been a lecturer and instructor for almost ten years. Well known for his professionalism, solid rapport with students and his dedication to the culinary arts, he has helped the college establish a national reputation for excellence. He sincerely cares about students. He works with them until he is assured that their needs are met, even when they are no longer in his classes. With a solid grasp of his content area and ability to transmit that knowledge to his students, he is a role model for other faculty as well as students.

Dela Cruz has led the Maui CC junior culinary team to victory three times in state and regional culinary competition. His confidence in the students makes the difficult and challenging competition a rewarding educational experience. As the faculty leader of the catering club, Dela Cruz looks for unique events that expose students to activities not duplicated in the classroom. He shares his knowledge of general business practices, providing students with the push to achieve what they often think they cannot. Maui CC Acting Provost flo Wiger says he enables students to learn how to learn.