Kapi`olani's Melanie Tancinco is the 2015 Best Young Commis Rotisseur

Kapiʻolani Community College
Contact:
Louise Yamamoto, (808) 734-9513
Director, College Relations, Office for College and Community Relations
Posted: Mar 16, 2015

Kapi'olani CC alumna Melanie Tancinco, winner of the prestigious Jeunes Chef Competition.
Kapi'olani CC alumna Melanie Tancinco, winner of the prestigious Jeunes Chef Competition.

Honolulu – The Chaîne des Rôtisseurs, Hawai`i/Pacific Islands Region, held the Jeunes Chef Rôtisseurs competition at Kapi`olani Community College on Saturday, February 21, 2015. Kapi`olani CC Chef Grant Sato, Conseiller Culinaire Provincial, organized this prestigious state-wide competition. Six Jeunes Chef contestants participated in this year’s competition: 4 contestants were from Maui and 2 from O‘ahu.

After 4 hours executing the best skill, talent and creativity in the kitchen, Melanie Tancinco earned the title, “Best Young Commis Rotisseur”. This is a repeat title for Melanie as she won the Hawai`i/Pacific Islands Regional Title in 2014 and later represented Hawai`i at the National Jeunes Chefs Competition in Florida.

Melanie is a Kapi`olani Culinary Arts alumna, and former American Culinary Federation (ACF) team competition member. She is currently working on a Bachelor of Arts in Culinary Management from UH-West O‘ahu.

Kapi`olani CC’s kitchens were the testing stage and much time was spent to insure competition logistics were followed according to Chaîne des Rôtisseurs regulations and standards. The competition centers around a “mystery basket,” where the Jeunes Commis does not know what ingredients will be used until arrival at the competition. The requirement is to create a menu in 30 minutes, then to prepare and plate a three-course meal for four people in three and a half hours.

Melanie is from the island of O‘ahu and is currently employed by the Sheraton Waikīkī. She acknowledges the keen support and mentoring from Chef Colin Hazama, Chef Daniel Delbrel, and Chef Brett Villarmia, and Chef David Brown from Kapi`olani CC for giving her confidence and tips that led to her fine performance. When asked what is different from this year’s win over last year’s, Melanie said, “I was better prepared this year. I feel I diligently developed menus and did a lot of reading and research on my own.”

Melanie’s goal is to become an Executive Chef and travel the world discovering new cuisines. She hopes to eventually settle in Hawai`i.  For now, Melanie is refining her skills and will be escorted by Chef Grant Sato to Las Vegas, Nevada on June 11 – 14, to compete in the National Jeunes Chefs Competition. The winner at the National will compete for the International Title in Budapest this October.