KCC chef instructor Alan Tsuchiyama got Hayley Matson-Mathes of Hawaii Culinary Education Foundation, Brooks Takenaka, formerly with United Fishing Agency, Ed Watamura, fisherman and the executive director of Hawaii Fishermen’s Alliance for Conservation and Tradition, and me together.

Matson-Mathes leads an organization that champions culinary education throughout the state as well as pairs chefs in the industry with high school culinary programs.

Takenaka comes with a wealth of experience and knowledge, having helped secure all the bottom fish so that each student had their own fish to fabricate and then use to cook a dish of mine. The bottom fish included opakapaka, onaga, ehu, lehi, gindai, kali kali — all of them are different snappers.

Watamura also comes with much life experience and wisdom, and as a knowledgeable fisherman explained a lot of the techniques he uses when fishing. He also showed how he scaled and butchered fish.

I demonstrated the ginger-crusted onaga with miso sesame vinaigrette that the students would prepare on their own after butchering their fish.

There were about 30 students from the classes of chef instructors Chris Garnier and Tsuchiyama. In addition, the time spent with the students and instructors to share their experiences, wisdom and knowledge helped to create the unique experience.

This was happening in the Culinary Institute of the Pacific kitchen, where there are many kitchen stations to spread 30 students around and they basically have teams cook in their very own kitchens.

I was so happy to see what opportunities these students have today compared to when I was a KCC student at the old McKinley High School campus, and later an instructor at the KCC Diamond Head campus. I also could not help but think of my old buddy Conrad Nonaka, and John Morton, who were the original visionaries for this campus and kitchen. They have both since passed. I believe they were both smiling down on us, happy to see their vision being put to good use.

I believe the students had a great learning experience. Having your own onaga or opakapaka to butcher and fabricate into serveable portions is such a luxury in school because these types of fish are expensive. Students rarely work with it, see it or even get to taste it.

I work with Tsuchiyama a lot. He helps me with some of my events. If there is fish on the menu, it’s either onaga, opakapaka or ahi. The students see me butchering and cooking it and sometimes we have some extra fish for them to try, cook and taste.

We talked about how the students were lucky to see it and eat it, but the ultimate learning experience to better prepare them for the industry would be for them to have their own fish and do everything from A to Z. It finally happened with funding from Matson-Mathes and HCEF, and help from Takenaka.

Butchering is becoming a lost art. Today, in many restaurants, I see cooks taking raw proteins that are all butchered, pre-portioned and sealed in vacuum packed bags. All they have to do is cut it open with a pair of scissors. You may no longer need a boning knife in your cook’s toolbox if that’s the case. Thanks to organizations like HCEF, and Takenaka, the students got this opportunity and experience.

What I saw besides eager eyes and appreciation for the opportunity were mistakes that are necessary for improvement — and fear, as it was simply new to most of them. To overcome fear you have to do it and keep doing it to build confidence and have a sense of pride and accomplishment. It is why we do what we do to help nurture the next generation of cooks and chefs.

“Hayley embodies the very spirit of the Woman of Purpose award,” says Stephanie Jaeger, LDEI President. “Her commitment to culinary education, her ability to create opportunity where there was once limitation, and her tireless advocacy for students, teachers, and working professionals have left a lasting mark not just in Hawaii, but across the broader culinary landscape. We are thrilled to honor her contributions.”

A fourth-generation Kansan raised on her family’s farm and ranch, Hayley’s passion for food and community was sparked early. At just nine years old, she announced her culinary dreams to a local Extension Club — a dream that would carry her from wheat fields to the Culinary Institute of America and professional culinary exchanges in France and Italy. For the past 20+ years, she has served as Executive Director of the Hawaii Culinary Education Foundation (HCEF), a nonprofit dedicated to empowering future culinary professionals through immersive, hands-on programs.

Under Hayley’s leadership, HCEF has grown into a dynamic organization reaching over 77,000 individuals since its founding, including 6,300+ students and professionals in 2024 alone. The Foundation’s fully funded programs offer transformative experiences to community college and high school culinary students, working professionals, and the broader community, connecting them with award-winning chefs and food leaders from Hawaii and around the world.

“I’m deeply honored to receive the LDEI Woman of Purpose Award,” says Hayley Matson-Mathes. “At the Hawaii Culinary Education Foundation, my goal is to empower students to become the leaders and changemakers of tomorrow. The most rewarding moments are when a former student tells me, ‘That program changed my life.’ Whether it’s a dish sparked by an HCEF chef or a career launched by a single taste, their stories remind me why this work matters. I’m committed to expanding our reach and elevating the voices of women chefs shaping the future of our culinary community.”

The Woman of Purpose Award will enable Hayley to expand HCEF’s programs, further increasing access for under-resourced students and amplifying the voices of women chefs shaping Hawaii’s vibrant culinary scene.

“We are honored to stand alongside the women who make a difference in their communities through education, hard work, and dedication,” says LeighAnn Bakunas, Director of Food + Beverage at YETI. “This award represents our belief in Hayley’s mission and the power of investing in women who uplift others through food, education, and leadership.”

The Woman of Purpose Award will be officially presented to Hayley at the LDEI Annual Conference in Las Vegas, NV, in 2026.

About Les Dames d’Escoffier International

Les Dames is an international organization of women leaders who create a supportive culture in their communities to achieve excellence in the fields of food, beverage, and hospitality. The organization’s 2,800 members in 42 chapters in the U.S., Canada, Mexico, the United Kingdom, and Italy provide leadership, educational opportunities, and philanthropy. Since its founding in 1985, Les Dames chapters have raised and donated more than $10 million to educational, community non-profits, and philanthropic organizations. For more information, visit www.ldei.org and follow Les Dames on Instagram @lesdamesintl and Facebook @Les Dames d’Escoffier Int’l.