[et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ custom_padding_last_edited=”on|phone” _builder_version=”4.11.3″ custom_padding=”0%||||false|false” custom_padding_tablet=”15%||||false|false” custom_padding_phone=”2%||||false|false” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.11.3″ _module_preset=”default” custom_margin=”|auto||auto|false|false” custom_padding=”2px||3px|||” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.11.3″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_button button_url=”https:\/\/losencinosschool.org\/alumni-page\/alumni-news-winter-2026\/” button_text=”Newsletter Winter 2026 Home Page” button_alignment=”center” _builder_version=”4.11.3″ _module_preset=”default” custom_button=”on” button_border_radius=”50px” button_text_size_tablet=”” button_text_size_phone=”18px” button_text_size_last_edited=”on|desktop” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_button][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row column_structure=”3_4,1_4″ _builder_version=”3.25″ background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”3_4″ _builder_version=”3.25″ custom_padding=”|||” global_colors_info=”{}” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.11.3″ text_font=”|700|||||||” text_font_size=”45px” text_font_size_tablet=”40px” text_font_size_phone=”27px” text_font_size_last_edited=”on|desktop” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n
Now We’re Cooking!<\/p>\n
[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.11.3″ global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n
T<\/span>o say Zion Ota\u00f1o (Class of 2018) is a busy achiever would be an understatement. Currently in his second year at Cornell University in Ithaca, NY, he’s majoring in Hotel Admin at the prestigious Nolan School. Zion’s on the Dean’s Advisory Board and Dean’s List, and he also works as a cook at Taverna Banfi<\/a>, the world-famous Statler Hotel restaurant (Cornell’s on-campus hotel). If that weren’t enough, he’s also the president of his fraternity, Sigma Phi Epsilon!<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.11.3″ global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n Zion said the highlight of this semester was having the honor of creating and executing a four-course dinner for the Dean of the Hotel School (Kate Walsh) and distinguished Cornell alumnus and industry leader (Alan Rosen) who co-owns the\u00a0 Junior’s restaurant chain known for their outstanding cheesecake.<\/span><\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/losencinosschool.org\/alumni-page\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/zion-alan-rosen-sm.jpg” alt=”Zion and Alan Rosen” title_text=”Zion and Alan Rosen” show_in_lightbox=”on” align=”center” _builder_version=”4.11.3″ _module_preset=”default” module_alignment=”center” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_image][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.11.3″ _module_preset=”default” text_font=”Georgia||||||||” text_font_size=”15px” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n (above)<\/em> Zion with Alan Rosen, who said he enjoyed Zion’s strawberry cheesecake. Bold move, Zion, to serve the Junior’s man cheesecake!<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.11.3″ global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n The event, called “The Dean\u2019s Dinner” at the hotel school, is a long-standing tradition and an exciting opportunity that gave Zion creative freedom to develop his own French-inspired menu.<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/losencinosschool.org\/alumni-page\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/new_dinner-entree.jpeg” alt=”Dinner entree – Chicken roulade with potato puree and a chicken demi-glace with wild roasted mushrooms.” title_text=”Dinner entree – Chicken roulade with potato puree and a chicken demi-glace with wild roasted mushrooms.” show_in_lightbox=”on” align=”center” _builder_version=”4.11.3″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_image][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.11.3″ _module_preset=”default” text_font=”Georgia||||||||” text_font_size=”15px” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n (above) The dinner entree… Chicken roulade with potato puree, a chicken demi-glace, and wild roasted mushrooms.<\/em><\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/losencinosschool.org\/alumni-page\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/meal-1-1.jpg” alt=”Lunch entree – seared duck breast with a duck leg confi.” title_text=”Lunch entree – seared duck breast with a duck leg confi.” align=”center” _builder_version=”4.11.3″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_image][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.11.3″ _module_preset=”default” text_font=”Georgia||||||||” text_font_size=”15px” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n (above) <\/em>The lunch entree… Seared duck breast with a duck leg confit, roasted turnips, and blackberry gastrique.<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/losencinosschool.org\/alumni-page\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/new-plates.jpeg” alt=”Zion oversees every aspect of the meal that serves 12.” title_text=”Zion oversees every aspect of the meal that serves 12.” show_in_lightbox=”on” align=”center” _builder_version=”4.11.3″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_image][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.11.3″ global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n Zion said that preparation is key to making a four-course meal like this. It was especially challenging because he was the only one who knew how to execute his vision, whereas in a restaurant, he said, “You’re making the same meals each day and there’s a system everyone is following.”<\/p>\n He described the opportunity to cook for such luminaries as “epic,” and he said, “I am so lucky to be able to share my skills and knowledge with incredible hospitality leaders and my peers.”<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text content_tablet=”<\/p>\n Fun Fact: The kindergarteners at Los Encinos School are given a writing prompt for the yearbook each year to describe their dream job. Five-year-old Zion wrote, %22I want to be a pizza maker,%22 then added a drawing of a %22pizza kitchen.%22 He’s been a foodie all this time!<\/p>\n ” content_phone=”<\/p>\n Fun Fact: The kindergarteners at Los Encinos School are given a writing prompt for the yearbook each year to describe their dream job. Five-year-old Zion wrote, %22I want to be a pizza maker,%22 then added a drawing of a %22pizza kitchen.%22 He’s been a foodie all this time!<\/p>\n ” content_last_edited=”on|desktop” _builder_version=”4.11.3″ hover_enabled=”0″ global_colors_info=”{}” sticky_enabled=”0″]<\/p>\n Fun Fact: The kindergarteners at Los Encinos School are given a writing prompt for the yearbook each year to describe their dream job. Five-year-old Zion wrote, “I want to be a pizza maker,” then added a drawing of a “pizza kitchen.” He’s been a foodie all this time!<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/losencinosschool.org\/alumni-page\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/new-k-yearbook.jpg” alt=”Zion’s kindergarten yearbook entry, 2011-2012.” title_text=”Zion’s kindergarten yearbook entry, 2011-2012.” show_in_lightbox=”on” _builder_version=”4.11.3″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_image][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.11.3″ global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n What better way to end this piece than with dessert? See Zion’s deconstructed strawberry cheesecake below.<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/losencinosschool.org\/alumni-page\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/new-cheesecake.jpeg” alt=”Dessert… Deconstructed strawberry cheesecake.” title_text=”Dessert… Deconstructed strawberry cheesecake.” show_in_lightbox=”on” _builder_version=”4.11.3″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_image][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.11.3″ global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n You can follow Zion on Instagram @zionotano<\/a> or @chefzion_<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”1_4″ _builder_version=”3.25″ custom_padding=”|||” global_colors_info=”{}” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/losencinosschool.org\/alumni-page\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/new-zion-headshot.jpg” alt=”Zion Otano – headshot” title_text=”Zion Otano – headshot” align_tablet=”center” align_phone=”” align_last_edited=”on|desktop” _builder_version=”4.11.3″ global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_image][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.11.3″ _module_preset=”default” text_font=”Georgia||||||||” text_font_size=”15px” global_colors_info=”{}”](above)<\/em> Zion today @zionotano<\/a>. (below)<\/em> Zion in 6th grade![\/et_pb_text][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/losencinosschool.org\/alumni-page\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/zion-6th.jpg” alt=”Zion in 6th grade” title_text=”Zion in 6th grade” align_tablet=”center” align_phone=”” align_last_edited=”on|desktop” _builder_version=”4.11.3″ global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_image][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.11.3″ _module_preset=”default” custom_padding=”10%|10%|10%|10%|false|false” box_shadow_style=”preset1″ global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n Favorite food-related movies:\u00a0 <\/strong>Jon Favreau’s CHEF, Pixar’s RATATOUILLE.<\/p>\n Favorite food-related TV:\u00a0 <\/strong>FX’s THE BEAR.<\/p>\n Favorite food:\u00a0 <\/strong>Lasagna.<\/p>\n Favorite animated cat: <\/strong>Garfield (due to their mutual love of lasagna!)<\/p>\n <\/strong><\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/losencinosschool.org\/alumni-page\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/new-dog.jpeg” alt=”Frat dog: Violet” title_text=”Frat dog: Violet” show_in_lightbox=”on” align_tablet=”center” align_phone=”” align_last_edited=”on|desktop” _builder_version=”4.11.3″ global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_image][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.11.3″ _module_preset=”default” text_font=”Georgia||||||||” text_font_size=”15px” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n (above) Zion poses with the Sigma Phi Epsilon house dog, Violet.<\/em><\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.11.3″ _module_preset=”default” custom_margin=”|auto||auto|false|false” custom_padding=”2px||3px|||” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.11.3″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_button button_url=”https:\/\/losencinosschool.org\/alumni-page\/alumni-news-winter-2026\/” button_text=”Newsletter Winter 2026 Home Page” button_alignment=”center” _builder_version=”4.11.3″ _module_preset=”default” custom_button=”on” button_border_radius=”50px” button_text_size_tablet=”” button_text_size_phone=”18px” button_text_size_last_edited=”on|phone” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_button][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row column_structure=”3_4,1_4″ _builder_version=”3.25″ background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”3_4″ _builder_version=”3.25″ custom_padding=”|||” global_colors_info=”{}” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][et_pb_blurb title=”We want to hear your story!” _builder_version=”3.12.1″ saved_tabs=”all” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\nQuick Bites with Zion:<\/strong><\/h3>\n