A Class Act – an apt name for the upper-level fine dining restaurant at the 37,656 square foot, $17 million facility that is the pride of Maui Community College—the new Pa`ina building, home of the Maui Culinary Academy.

Here’s what you can find at MCC’s Culinary Academy: The facility itself is state-of-the-art and the kitchens have 70 burners, 68 work and prep tables, 63 refrigerators, 24 convection, rotary, and conveyor ovens, a 60 quart mixer and, and a bake shop that includes an actual confisserie—a special enclosed room where temperature and humidity are always at the perfect levels for working with sugar and chocolate.

The Pa’ina Food Court is open to the public weekdays. It is stunningly attractive and the food is excellent. There are five serving stations: The Patisserie—pastries and breads, Raw Fish Camp—made-to-order sushi and pre-made favorites, Paniolo Grill—distinctive pizzas and sandwiches as well as student staples like burgers and fries. World Plate—foods with an international flavor, including Chinese stir fry, Italian pastas, and Hawaiian favorites, Farm to Table—cutting-edge recipes using local produce such as tarn lavender and Kula-grown vegetables, specialty sandwiches and distinctive vegetarian selections, savory wraps, and more.

The students work it. They work everything, including the fine dining Class Act with a set menu of four courses. Of course there are teaching chefs on staff keeping a keen eye, making sure everything is prepared perfectly. And both the chefs and the students are having a great time! Why not? With a facility like the Pa’ina building, and world-class chefs teaching eager foodies, it’s a pretty amazing, exciting arrangement.

We dined with Chef Santos and Chef Spear at the Class Act -- and they beam when they talk about their culinary school. You see, when the new $17 million dollar facility was completed, it was more-or-less handed to Chef Santos and Chef Spear with a comment something like, “There you go. Up to you to make it run. Enjoy it!” A tall order! The electric bill alone is something like $36,000 a month.

Running it, making it fly is exactly what these two dedicated chefs have done. They offer lunch and fine dining. Through the research and development arm of the school they have created several products that include the new Pahole Kim Chee from Hana Herbs and Flowers where the Pahole is grown and harvested. There are wonderful gourmet jams and jellies like their raspberry wine jelly, in part from the cooperation of Tedeschi Vineyards, and Maui Roasted Pineapple Jam with a little assistance from Maui Land and Pineapple. They’ve created flavored sugars and salts, like mango and vanilla mac nut sugar and basil sea salt. These are all presented with pride at the school, available at the Class Act, at the Pa’ina Food Court, and throughout the island at over two dozen retail stores.

All that said, what rings most clear when you visit the school is the quality of the place, the people, and the food served. This is a class act. Dressed in professional full whites, the students look crisp and on top of their game. Everyone is doing their absolute best. When a chef is teaching students how to serve a plate of food, cook a piece of chicken, toss a salad, create a chocolate cake, or roll sushi, eyes are bright, attention focused, a feeling there is something exciting about to happen and it is not to be missed. It’s a fantastic leading-edge kind of place.

Enjoy lunch at the food court for a fraction of the cost in any other restaurant. Or have that sit down fine dining experience for only $25. Or order a cake made for you next special event. You are supporting a wonderful adventure for every student and teacher. And you have been a part in your own small way in this place of pride.

Lunch in the food court: Monday through Friday from 11AM to 1 PM
Fine Dining at The Class Act: Wednesday and Friday 11AM to 12:30 PM by reservation