(Pictured from L-R) Row 1 – Julie Morihara-Itagaki, Campbell High School Culinary Teacher; Randall Iwaishi, Servco Home & Appliance Showroom Manager; Craig Washofsky, Servco Home & Appliance President; Jon Lee, Campbell High School Principal; Phyllis Unebasami, Department of Education Deputy Superintendent; Mark Fukunaga, Servco Chairman & CEO; Rick Ching, Servco President & COO; Kathy Silva, Campbell High School Vice Principal. Row 2 – Glenn Inouye, Servco SVP Auto Distribution; State Representative Bob McDermott; State Senator Kurt Fevella; Peter Dooher, Servco SVP Digital Strategy; Peter Dames, Servco EVP Mobility Venture/Technology; Scott Yonesaki, Servco Auto Waipahu General Manager.
EWA BEACH – As part of its 100th anniversary Centennial Service Campaign, Servco Pacific Inc. (Servco) has donated over $17,000 worth of kitchen appliances to Saber Café, the student-run culinary kitchen at James Campbell High School. Special guests from the Hawaii State Department of Education (HIDOE) along with other government officials joined the school community for a ribbon-cutting ceremony, tour of facility and inaugural meal served by Campbell students today.
Guests included HIDOE Deputy Superintendent Phyllis Unebasami, Sen. Kurt Favella, and Rep. Bob McDermott. Students served a three-course meal using the newly refurbished kitchen, featuring Kauai shrimp ceviche, ahi tar-tar with avocado cream, sous vide ribeye, roasted brussels sprouts and garlic Yukon whipped potatoes with shimeji mushroom demi-glaze, vanilla bean panna cotta, and assorted fresh berries with mango and raspberry puree.
“We put a lot of time and effort into creating a good meal and dining experience for Saber Café guests,” said Campbell culinary student, Jacob Pagdilao. “These new appliances really help us step up our game.”
Saber Café first opened its doors in 2013 with the intention of helping students experience all aspects of fine dining restaurant work, such as handling reservations, creating a menu, ordering ingredients, waiting tables, performing sous chef duties, overseeing the finances, and even being a dishwasher.
“Students in the culinary program dedicate their lunch times to prepare for Saber Café guests,” said Lee. “With these new appliances from Servco, we hope to be able to continue nurturing our students’ passions for cooking with real-world culinary experience for many years to come.”
Servco’s donation included new electric ranges, cooktops, microwaves, refrigerators, dishwashers, and a washer and dryer for an equivalent retail value of $17,824,25. Servco employees also volunteered to unpack and install these appliances in the classrooms.
“We wanted to give back to the local community for treating us with aloha for the past 100 years,” said Craig Washofsky, president of Servco Home & Appliance Distribution. “Throughout the year, we hope that our Centennial Service Campaign donations help students learn valuable skills that they can use for the rest of their lives.”
As part of its $1.5 million Centennial Service Campaign, Servco also plans to donate new appliances to enrich education curriculum at Moanalua and Roosevelt High School on Oahu.