The Culinary Institute of the Pacific (CIP) at Kapiʻolani Community College has opened applications for two new cohorts of its Workforce Development Program, an advanced culinary training partnership with the Culinary Institute of America (CIA).
The five-day, hands-on training sessions give culinary professionals access to advanced baking and pastry instruction without leaving the state. Applications for Cohort 19 are open through March 13, 2026, and applications for Cohort 20 are open through March 20, 2026, via the CIP website. Full tuition scholarships are available to help upskill Hawaiʻi’s existing workforce and build clear pathways for career growth.
“Our collaboration with the Culinary Institute of America brings world-class training right here to our islands, empowering Hawaiʻi’s chefs to elevate their craft and push the boundaries of culinary innovation,” said Chef Roy Yamaguchi, director of the Culinary Institute of the Pacific.
Cohort 19: Fundamentals of Baking and Pastry Arts
- April 6–10, 2026: this course allows partiCIPants to build a solid foundation in the art and science of baking. Training covers essential skills in classic baking techniques, pastry production, doughs, custards and introductory chocolate work.
Cohort 20: Dessert Design in the Hot Kitchen
- April 13–17, 2026: this course focuses on crafting show-stopping desserts without a traditional bakery setup. PartiCIPants will learn to adapt to the challenges of a hot kitchen, creatively utilizing heat-based equipment to deliver exquisite fine-dining sweets.
Both cohorts are led by Chef Kristin Egan, a CIA associate professor, alumna, and Certified Master Baker who has worked in acclaimed kitchens including L’Atelier de Joël Robuchon and The Modern.
Eligibility and scholarships
Applicants must be 18 or older, a Hawaiʻi resident or active military personnel stationed in Hawaiʻi, and have a minimum of three years of professional culinary experience. Full tuition scholarships for Cohort 19 and 20, valued at $1,500 per student, are made possible through the Hawai’i Ag & Culinary Alliance CIP x CIA Workforce Development Scholarship Fund with support from the State of Hawaiʻi. Scholarships for Native Hawaiian applicants are provided by the Office of Hawaiian Affairs.
Since its launch in September 2024, the CIP x CIA program has provided advanced training to more than 160 culinary professionals across Hawaiʻi’s foodservice sector.
