IN the spirit of Thanksgiving, Northern Marianas Technical Institute culinary students have donated a full holiday meal to Guma Esperansa for the second year in a row.
Culinary instructor Chef Inas Hocog on Wednesday said he and his culinary students spent several hours preparing the meal for the shelter for battered women and children.
“This is our second year, and it’s to give back to the community,” Hocog said.
The meal is complete with a flavorful ham cooked with pineapple juice and brown sugar, mashed potatoes, sauteed vegetable medley with garlic, traditional stuffing, and a sauce made from ham au jus and pineapple juice.
“We’re so thankful for this wonderful partnership and the donors who donated the ham,” said Karidat executive director and Guma Esperansa manager Lauri Ogumoro. “It really is special for them to remember the women and children in the shelter because it’s nice for [the women and children] to realize that people remember them, especially on these holidays. It’s a wonderful partnership that began last year, and [NMTech] is continuing it. We hope that they’ll continue it each year.”
The ham was donated by Isla, a local nonprofit fishing organization.
Hocog and the six culinary students gathered and prepped the ingredients the night before the donation, and cooked the meal in the morning.
“They’ve been in class since August, so it’s nearing the time for their finals. They’re already well-versed in the kitchen. Nothing was too complicated for them,” Hocog said.
As families gather for the holiday season, Hocog’s advice is, “Do a lot of your shopping ahead and clear your fridge so that you have proper refrigeration space.”
NMTech Culinary Arts, with the experience of skilled chefs, teaches the fundamentals, foundations, and basics about the culinary industry.
For more information about NMTech, visit its Lower Base campus, call (670) 235-6684, or go to nmtechcnmi.org/.
Representatives from the Northern Marianas Technical Institute and Guma Esperansa pose for a photo in the NMTech Culinary Arts kitchen.
The Thanksgiving meal prepared by Northern Marianas Technical Institute culinary arts students and their instructor is complete with mashed potatoes, vegetables, ham, stuffing, and gravy.
NMTech marketing and outreach director Ben Babauta delivers his remarks on behalf of the institute.
Karidat executive director and Guma Esperansa manager Lauri Ogumoro, left, expresses her gratitude to NMTech for the Thanksgiving meal.
A sign leads to the NMTech culinary arts kitchen
