August 26, 2024
Out in the Arizona desert, where temperatures soar and the sand stretches far, lives HHS' 2024 SuperChef, Trula Hepner! As the director and regional executive chef at Havasu Regional Medical Center and Valley View Medical Center, Trula is adored for her vibrant, spunky personality and impressive culinary skills. Known for her previous win in the Lake Havasu Hospitality Association’s Top Chef competition, where she and Chef Hayley Hill surpassed expectations, Trula’s success continues to shine. She took home the HHS SuperChef 2024 title after a tough Chopped-style competition on August 1st in Nashville, TN, where she competed against Chefs Chris Randolph and Ines Grevel. This event highlighted Trula’s unique blend of charm and talent and celebrated the exceptional chefs at HHS.
A Culinary Journey: Trula Hepner’s Path to Victory
Trula’s journey through the SuperChef competition highlights her amazing cooking skills, passion, and dedication. She has shown exceptional talent and commitment throughout her career, from her early days at Havasu to her current roles as director and executive chef at both Valley View and Havasu hospitals.
Trula Hepner, SuperChef Winner.
The SuperChef Competition: A Culinary Challenge
For Trula, participating in this event was both exciting and challenging. Even with her vast experience, she felt a bit nervous about the competition format. However, her careful planning and a strong grasp of culinary trends helped her succeed.
The Planning Process:
Trula’s approach to the competition was rooted in strategic planning. She carefully selected dishes that would resonate with a broad audience while showcasing her creativity. Her choices included Causa and Lomo Saltado, two dishes with rich Peruvian influences.
“I kind of know how we would like our kitchens to progress and grow, and I try to read reports about what food trends are coming,” shared Trula “What cuisines are becoming more in the spotlight, which ones are hot, those kinds of things. So, keeping all of that in mind when they gave us those guidelines, I was like, okay, in the Havasu kitchen, there are several Peruvian women. And they have produced some really beautiful food, and HHS has zero Peruvian food.”
Her choice to use Peruvian cuisine was intentional, as she wanted to introduce new flavors and ideas to the HHS menu.
The Competition Day:
The day of the competition presented unforeseen challenges. Trulafaced equipment shortages and time constraints, which impacted the presentation of her dishes. Despite these hurdles, her focus remained on her dishes' flavor and overall concept. She even jokingly described her presentation as “a mess” due to the time constraints but maintained that the taste and creativity of her dishes remained strong.
Triumph Through Creativity and Diversity
One of the most striking aspects of Trula’s performance was her ability to infuse creativity into her dishes. Her Causa featured a cold potato appetizer topped with grilled Chilean sea bass, complemented by a honey habanero spice. The Lomo Saltado was a stir-fry that beautifully blended Asian and Latin influences, a testament to Trula’s innovative approach.
The use of chili crisp as a secret ingredient added a unique twist to her Peruvian dishes. Trula’s willingness to experiment with diverse cuisines and ingredients not only impressed the judges but also highlighted HHS’ openness to culinary innovation.
The Significance of the Win
Winning the SuperChef competition was a big milestone for Trula, but she sees it as more than just a personal win. To her, the competition was about exploring new possibilities in HHS' culinary offerings. Her victory highlights the importance of creativity, embracing diversity, and staying adaptable under pressure.
Lessons Learned
Trula’s experience in the SuperChef competition offered two valuable lessons:
- Embrace Challenges: Trulas skill in handling challenges like equipment problems and tight deadlines shows her resilience and adaptability. These qualities are essential for any chef working in high-pressure situations.
- Promote Culinary Creativity: The competition reaffirmed Trula’s belief in the importance of culinary diversity and creativity. She is passionate about introducing new flavors and concepts to the HHS culinary team, believing that this approach enriches the dining experience and creates a more dynamic kitchen environment.
A Vision for the Future
Despite her success, Trula remains focused on her long-term goals. She dreams of becoming an executive chef at a hospice one day, where she can create meaningful meals for families in need. This aspiration reflects her deep compassion and desire to make a difference in the lives of others.
Trula’s story is a compelling example of how passion, creativity, and dedication can lead to remarkable achievements. Her journey through the SuperChef competition and her continued commitment to excellence at HHS inspire her peers and remind her of the transformative power of culinary artistry.
As she puts it, “That’s my big takeaway from this experience: we need to push programs like this harder, not just alongside our non-negotiables and regulatory requirements, but with equal emphasis on the fun and creative aspects. We often get caught up in the technicalities—following recipes and production sheets—but we need to remember to celebrate the fun side of cooking and make it as prominent as everything else.”
As we celebrate Trula’s win, we look forward to seeing how her vision and talents will continue to shape the future of HHS culinary.