Chris Kajioka

Miro Kaimuki - Honolulu, HI

Chris Kajioka, born and raised in Honolulu, Hawaii, began his classical culinary training at the prestigious Culinary Institute of America in Hyde Park, New York. He continued his career working at prominent restaurants across the country, including Ron Siegel’s Dining Room at the Ritz-Carlton, Mourad Lahlou’s Aziza in San Francisco, and Thomas Keller’s iconic Per Se in New York.

In 2012, Kajioka returned to Hawaii to become the Executive Chef of Vintage Cave. He received his first James Beard Foundation nomination for Rising Star Chef of the Year. In 2016, he partnered with chef Anthony Rush to open his first restaurant, Senia. Within the first year of opening, Kajioka garnered several James Beard nominations- 2017 Best New Restaurant, 2018 Best Chef: West, and most recently 2020 Best Chef: Northwest & Pacific.

Kajioka is currently chef and partner of Miro Kaimuki, Papa Kurt’s and Waicoco – restaurants which he opened between June 2020 and 2021.