Lahainaluna High School culinary students Teani Aipa and Kdin Dias placed third in the 2021 Aloun Farms Mahi’ai Culinary Competition’s ChefZone People’s Choice Award, which was based on the number of social media likes for their dish, Korean Marinated Steak over Indonesian Style Noodle with Kauai Shrimp Gyoza. Pictured (from left) are Aipa, Dias, Nicole Crusos of Aloun Farms and Lahainaluna Culinary Arts instructor Colin Delos Reyes.

LAHAINA — Aloun Farms recently announced the winners of its Mahi’ai Culinary Competition, themed “Eat Local, Shop Local, Live Sustainably.”

Leilehua High School’s culinary team of Guylen Shimabukuro and Kapukawai Natividad won first place in the competition as well as the ChefZone People’s Choice Award for their dish, Crispy Kauai Shrimp with Caramelized Aloun Farms Onion Coconut Soubise, Smoky Kamote & Greens, and Tomato & ‘Ewa Sweet Onion Salad.

Teams were required to create a unique dish with Aloun Farms’ ‘Ewa Sweet Onion and ChefZone’s Exclusive Brand “Villa Frizzoni” Pasta.

Bonus points were awarded to teams that used additional ingredients, including Kauai Shrimp, Maui Cattle Company beef and/or other in-season Aloun Farms’ produce, including Chinese parsley, eggplant, zucchini, long bean, kabocha, green onion, head cabbage, cantaloupe, watermelon, Meyer lemon, mint, kamote leaves, green papaya or honeydew melon.

Judges rated dishes on their creativity, locality and ingredient choice, presentation, flavor profile, texture and density, and seasonality.

Eleven teams participated from nine participating high schools: Lahainaluna High School, Campbell High School, Farrington High School, Leilehua High School, Moanalua High School, Nanakuli High School, Waipahu High School, Waialua High School and Waianae High School.

This is the first time a Maui high school was able to participate, thanks to Mahi Pono’s sponsorship and the switch to a virtual competition this year.

Five teams of two students each competed against each other from Lahainaluna High School to select one team — Teani Aipa and Kdin Dias — to compete in Aloun Farms’ Mahi’ai Culinary Competition.

Lahainaluna culinary students Aipa and Dias placed third in the ChefZone People’s Choice Award, which was based on the number of social media likes for their dish, Korean Marinated Steak over Indonesian Style Noodle with Kauai Shrimp Gyoza.

Participating schools each received $4,000 in scholarship money for their school’s culinary program, as well as custom chef coats and other prizes thanks to presenting sponsor ChefZone, a division of Y. Hata & Co. Limited, and other sponsors, including Mahi Pono, Meadow Gold, Krause Family Foundation and Leeward Community College.

To view recipes from this year’s Aloun Farms Mahi’ai Culinary Competition, visit alounfarms.com/blogs/recipes.

Based in West Oahu, Aloun Farms also supports the Future Farmers of America and school-to-work programs, provides educational farm tours, and hosts community events.