2025 Talent
FILTER TALENT BY:
CHEFS
Peter Abarcar, Jr.
Mauna Kea Beach Hotel - Kamuela, HI
Ippy Aiona
Ippy’s Hawaiian BBQ - Kamuela, HI
Shaymus Alwin
The Royal Hawaiian, a Luxury Collection Resort, Waikiki - Honolulu, HI
Jessie Anacleto
Maui Brewing Co. - Kaanapali, HI
Francis Ang
Restaurant Abaca - San Francisco, CA
Reem Assil
Reem's California - San Francisco, CA
Jayson Asuncion
Royal Lahaina Resort & Bungalows - Lahaina, HI
James Babian
Pueo's Osteria - Waikoloa, HI
Timon Balloo
The Katherine Restaurant - Fort Lauderdale, FL
Michele Belotti
Belotti Ristorante e Bottega - Oakland, CA
Sylvan Mishima Brackett
Rintaro - San Francisco, CA
Kim Canteenwalla
Honey Salt & Crown Block - Las Vegas, NV
Nando Chang
Itamae AO - Miami, FL
Dong Choi
Slanted Door - San Francisco, CA
Ki Chung
Bar Maze - Honolulu, HI
Leah Cohen
Pig and Khao - New York, NY
Mitch Cooper
Sheraton Maui Resort & Spa - Lahaina, HI
Chris Cosentino
Koast Maui - Wailea, HI
Johnny Courtney
Atoma - Seattle, WA
Kealoha Domingo
Nui Kealoha - Honolulu, HI
Celestino Drago
Drago Centro - Los Angeles, CA
Dean Fearing
Fearing's Restaurant - Dallas, TX
Vikram Garg
UMI by Vikram Garg - Honolulu, HI
Troy Guard
Guard and Grace - Denver, CO
Masa Gushiken
El Cielo - Honolulu, HI
Daisuke Hamamoto
Arancino Ristorante Italiano - Honolulu, HI
Colin Hazama
C4 Table - Honolulu, HI
Allen Hess
FORC - Kamuela, HI
Ahu Hettema & Nili Yildirim
Istanbul Hawaii - Honolulu, HI
Patrick Heymann
Ouli Farms - Kamuela, HI
Brian Hirata
Naau - Hilo, HI
Brady Ishiwata Williams
Tomo - Seattle, WA
Brandon Jew
Mister Jiu's - San Francisco, CA
Laurence Jossel
Nopa - San Francisco, CA
Chris Kajioka
Miro Kaimuki - Honolulu, HI
Jayson Kanekoa
Waikoloa Beach Marriott Resort & Spa - Waikoloa, HI
Michelle Karr-Ueoka
MW Restaurant & Artizen by MW - Honolulu, HI
Alex Kim
Five Sails Restaurant - Vancouver, Canada
Stephen Kina
406 BBQ - Kalispell, MT
Mourad Lahlou
Leila - Honolulu, HI
Jacqueline Lau
Sysco Hawaii - Honolulu, HI
Andrew Le
The Pig and The Lady - Honolulu, HI
Keaka Lee
Kapa Hale - Honolulu, HI
Danny Lee
Anju - Washington, D.C.
David LeFevre
Manhattan Beach Post - Manhattan Beach, CA
Belinda Leong
b. Patisserie - San Francisco, CA
Raphael Lunetta
Lunetta - Santa Monica, CA
Joey Macadangdang
Balai Pata - Lahaina, HI
Gaby Maeda
Friends and Family Bar - Oakland, CA
Rhoda Magbitang
CanoeHouse Restaurant, Mauna Lani Auberge Resorts Collection - Waimea, HI
Robynne Maii
Fête - Honolulu, HI
Jon Matsubara
FEAST by Jon Matsubara - Honolulu, HI
Dean Max
DJM Restaurants - Deerfield Beach, FL
Spike Mendelsohn
We, the Pizza - Washington, D.C.
Michael Meredith
Mr. Morris & Metita - Auckland, New Zealand
Lenny Messina
Hudson Valley Farms - Ferndale, NY
Michael Mina
STRIPSTEAK by Michael Mina - Honolulu, HI
Jonathan Mizukami
Hoku's at The Kahala Hotel & Resort - Honolulu, HI
Michael Moorhouse
Mauna Kea Beach Hotel - Kamuela, HI
Masaharu Morimoto
Morimoto Asia & Momosan Waikiki - Honolulu, HI
Tsubasa Nakagawa
Han no Daidokoro - Honolulu, HI
Shota Nakajima
Shota Nakajima LLC - Seattle, WA
Niki Nakayama & Carole Iida-Nakayama
n/naka - Los Angeles, CA
Nini Nguyen
Đặc Biệt - New Orleans, LA
Michel Nischan
Wholesome Crave - Fairfield, CT
Mark Noguchi
The Pili Group - Honolulu, HI
Pichet Ong
Pichet Ong Consulting - Washington, D.C.
Jason Peel
Nami Kaze - Honolulu, HI
Matt Pittman
Meat Church - Waxahachie, TX
Dominica Rice-Cisneros
Bombera - Oakland, CA
Rich Rosendale
Rosendale Collective - Leesburg, VA
Anthony Rush
Podmore - Honolulu, HI
Steve and Dina Samson
Rossoblu - Los Angeles, CA
Aarón Sánchez
Johnny Sánchez - New Orleans, LA
Jayse Sato
Umi Sushi - Wailuku, HI
Colin Sato
Mugen - Honolulu, HI
Caroline Schiff
Brooklyn, NY
Sean Sherman
NATIFS - Minneapolis, MN
Nancy Silverton
Mozza Restaurant Group - Los Angeles, CA
Sheldon Simeon
Tiffany's Restaurant & Bar - Wailuku, HI
Mills Stovall
Waimea Butcher Shop - Kamuela, HI
Yu Sugimoto
Imperial Hotel Tokyo - Tokyo, Japan
Jordan Swiler
Alohilani Resort Waikiki Beach - Honolulu, HI
Jeff Szombaty
Hyatt Regency Waikiki Beach Resort and Spa - Honolulu, HI
Scott Tacinelli & Angie Rito
Don Angie & San Sabino - New York, NY
Brooke Tadena
Hawaii Convention Center/Levy Restaurants - Honolulu, HI
Christian Testa
Halekulani - Honolulu, HI
Ming Tsai
BaBa at the Yellowstone Club - Big Sky, MT
Wade Ueoka
MW Restaurant - Honolulu, HI
Gevin Utrillo
Hyatt Regency Maui Resort & Spa - Kaanapali, HI
Robby Valdez
Leilani's on the Beach - Lahaina, HI
Marcel Vigneron
Ogreenic Cookware - Malibu, CA
Cedric Vongerichten
Wayan & Ma·dé - New York, NY
Yuji Wakiya
Wakiya - Tokyo, Japan
Jonathan Waxman
Barbuto - New York, NY
Timothy Wedell
The Westin Maui Resort and Spa, Kaanapali - Kaanapali, HI
Mari Wills
Bite Logic - Kaneohe, HI
Roy Yamaguchi
Roy Yamaguchi Group of Restaurants - Honolulu, HI
Katherine Yang
Mille Fête - Honolulu, HI
Toshihiko Yoroizuka
Toshi Yoroizuka - Tokyo, Japan
MASTER SOMMELIERS
Chuck Furuya, MS
Master Sommelier - Honolulu, HI
Chris Ramelb, MS
Southern Glazer's Wine & Spirits Hawaii - Honolulu, HI
WINEMAKERS, PROPRIETORS, PROFESSIONALS
Braiden Albrecht
Mayacamas Vineyards & Winery - Napa Valley, CA
Jerry Brassfield
Brassfield Estate Winery - High Valley, CA
Thomas Rivers Brown
Rivers-Marie - Napa Valley, CA
Sarah & Michael Browne
Cirq Estate - Russian River Valley, CA
Matt Brown
Huneeus Wines - Napa Valley, CA
Mick Cameron
Louis Latour - Burgundy, France
Cynthia Challacombe
Maisons Marques & Domaines
Brian Clancy
Laurent-Perrier - Honolulu, HI
Knox Clendenen
Au Bon Climat - Santa Barbara, CA
Scott Flory
Pulido Walker - St. Helena, CA
Antoine Jobard
Domaine Antoine Jobard - Burgundy, FR
Nils Johnson
Jackson Family Fine Wines - Portland, OR
John Kapranopoulos
Rhys Vineyards - Santa Cruz, CA
Paul Lato
Paul Lato Wines - Santa Maria, CA
Adam Lauritson
Wagner Family of Wines - Napa Valley, CA
David Lavantureux
Domaine Roland Lavantureux - Burgundy, FR
Joy Lindholm
Skurnik Wines - Denver, CO
Dana Manison
Fortunate Son - Napa Valley, CA
Dave Meadors
Constellation Brands
Matthew Milton
Louis Vuitton Moët Hennessy - Honolulu, HI
Giulia Monteleone & Benedetto Alessandro
Monteleone - Mount Etna, Sicily, Italy
Cedric Mousse
Champagne Famille Mousse
Steven Nagy
Ashes & Diamonds Winery - Napa Valley, CA
Mike Officer
Carlisle Wines - Sonoma County, CA
Laura Paolucci
Castiglion Del Bosco - Tuscany, Italy
Massimo Piccin
Podere Sapaio - Bolgheri, Tuscany, Italy
Alessandro Rotolo
Schiopetto - Capriva del Friuli, Italy
Kelli Sahara
Jackson Family Fine Wines - Honolulu, HI
Warren Shon
Southern Glazer's Wine & Spirits of Hawaii - Honolulu, HI
Angeline Templier
Champagne J. Lassalle - Champagne, FR
Laura Trisnadi
Opus One Winery - Napa Valley, CA
Cristian Valbruzzoli
Lyra Imports - Florence, Tuscany, Italy
Cristina Varchetta
Astroni Winery - Campagne, Italy
John Wise
Heitz Cellar - Napa Valley, CA
MIXOLOGISTS
Jen Ackrill
Real del Valle Tequila - Honolulu, HI
Kuulei Akuna
Little Plum & Lady Elaine - Honolulu, HI
Summer Akuna
Mauna Kea Beach Hotel - Kamuela, HI
Hailey Berkey
Sullivan Family of Companies Hawaii - Honolulu, HI
Brittany Cheatham
Talk Kaimuki - Honolulu, HI
Art Deakins
Kuleana Rum Works - Waimea, HI
Kevin Diedrich
Pacific Cocktail Haven - San Francisco, CA
Eric Dill
Koolau Distillery - Kailua, HI
Kai Duarte
Makawao Public House - Makawao, HI
Ryan Dunton
Aurum Maui - Wailea, HI
Jordan Edwards
White Sands Hotel - Honolulu, HI
Jessica Everett
Esters Fair Prospect - Wailuku, HI
St. John Frizell
Gage & Tollner and Sunken Harbor Club - Brooklyn, NY
Arielle Hafen
Brick Fire Tavern Kaimuki - Honolulu, HI
Allie Haines
Little Plum & Lady Elaine - Honolulu, HI
Mari Howe
Tikehau Lounge - Wailea, HI
Alba Huerta
Julep - Houston, TX
Francesco Lafranconi
Carver Road Hospitality - Las Vegas, NV
Alex Law
Podmore - Honolulu, HI
April Leslie
Lineage - Wailea, HI
Lynnette Marrero
Speed Rack - Hudson, NY
Fabrice McCarthy
Fête - Honolulu, HI
Wakana Murata
Tokyo Confidential - Tokyo, Japan
Justin Park
Bar Leather Apron & Bar Maze - Honolulu, HI
Taven Phillip
The Clover Club - Brooklyn, NY
Kapri Robinson
Allegory - Washington, D.C.
Christian Self
Southern Glazer's Wine & Spirits Hawaii - Honolulu, HI
Andy Seymour
Liquid Productions - New York, NY
Kaitlyn Stewart
Like•a•ble Cocktails - Vancouver, Canada
Atsushi Suzuki
The Bellwood - Tokyo, Japan
Devon Tarby
Continuous Entertainment - Los Angeles, CA
Tiffany Tubon
Ko Hana Distillers - Kunia, HI
Jillian Vose
Hazel & Apple | Badger Bevs | Outwalker Irish Whiskey - Charleston, SC
Alicia Yamachika
Southern Glazer's Wine & Spirits Hawaii - Honolulu, HI
SPECIAL PRESENTERS
Representative Cory Chun
Hawaii State House of Representatives - Honolulu, HI
Senator Lynn DeCoite
Hawaii State Senate - Honolulu, HI
Keith DeMello
Senior Vice President, Communications & External Affairs, Ulupono Initiative - Honolulu, HI
Neenz Faleafine
Founder, Remnant Rituals - Honolulu, HI
Tyler Gomes
Chief Administrator, Hawaiian Council - Honolulu, HI
Senator Donna Kim
Hawaii State Senate - Honolulu, HI
Senator Ron Kouchi
Hawaii State Senate President - Honolulu, HI
Sean Morris
President, S. Morris and Associates - Honolulu, HI
Toby Tamaye
President, AT Marketing - Honolulu, HI
Kent Torrey
The Cheese Shop - Carmel, CA
SPEAKERS
Kale Afong
Content Creator, Hawaii's Only - Honolulu, HI
Craig Anderson
Vice President of Operations, Mauna Kea Resort - Kamuela, HI
Francis Ang
Restaurant Abaca - San Francisco, CA
Lehia Apana
Co-Founder, Polipoli Farms - Wailuku, HI
Kiki Aranita
Food Writer, The Philadelphia Inquirer - Philadelphia, PA
Poni Askew
Founder, Hawaiian Vinegar and Spice Company - Mililani, HI
Reem Assil
Reem's California - San Francisco, CA
Michiel Bakker
President, Culinary Institute of America - Hyde Park, NY
Elizabeth Blau
Founder & CEO, Blau & Associates - Las Vegas, NV
Tom Calame
Area General Manager & Managing Director, Kyo-ya Hotels & Resorts Hawaii Marriott International - Honolulu, HI
Tyson Camarao
Founder & President, Leilanis Attic - Las Vegas, NV
Kainoa Carlson
Host, HI Now Daily - Honolulu, HI
Dylan Ching
Vice President of Operations, TS Restaurants - Honolulu, HI
Leah Cohen
Pig and Khao - New York, NY
Mike Curtin
CEO, DC Central Kitchen - Washington, D.C.
Sean Dee
Executive Vice President & Chief Commercial Officer, Outrigger® Hospitality Group - Honolulu, HI
Senator Donovan Dela Cruz
Hawaii State Senator, District 17 - Honolulu, HI
Kealoha Domingo
Nui Kealoha - Honolulu, HI
Josh Feathers
Executive Chef, Main House at Blackberry Farm - Walland, TN
Rona Yagi Fukumoto
President and CEO, Lanakila Pacific - Honolulu, HI
Shep Gordon
Founder, Alive Enterprises - Kihei, HI
First Lady Jaime Green
First Lady of the State of Hawaiʻi - Honolulu, HI
Peter Greenberg
Travel Editor, CBS News - New York, NY
Wendy F. Hensel
President, University of Hawaii - Honolulu, HI
Keliko Hoe
Owner, Waiahole Poi Factory - Kaneohe, HI
Ben Hon
Photographer/Content Creator - Brooklyn, NY
Brady Ishiwata Williams
Tomo - Seattle, WA
Jayson Watts
Director of Environmental Health and Safety, Mahi Pono - Kahului, HI
Brandon Jew
Mister Jiu's - San Francisco, CA
Chris Kadohiro
Executive Director of Operations, HMSHost - Honolulu, HI
Representative Kirstin Kahaloa
State Representative, District 6 - Honolulu, HI
Kaui Kanakaole
Executive Director, Ala Kukui Hana Retreat - Hana, HI
Micah Kane
President and CEO, Parker Ranch - Kamuela, HI
Guy Kawasaki
Chief Evangelist, Canva - Watsonville, CA
Kea Keolanui
Marketing Director, OK Farms & Co-Owner/Founder, Hawaii Eco Experiences - Hilo, HI
Kara Kozuma
Sr. Associate Manager Earned Media, King's Hawaiian - Long Beach, CA
Serge Krivatsy
Senior Director of Planning and Development, Kamehameha Schools - Honolulu, HI
Robin Kumabe
Executive Director, Touch A Heart - Aiea, HI
Philip Lemoine
Content Creator - Honolulu, HI
Kuhio Lewis
Chief Executive Officer, Hawaiian Council - Kapolei, HI
Jennifer Luck
CEO, Common Ground Kauai - Kilauea, HI
Robynne Maii
Fête - Honolulu, HI
Gary Maunakea-Forth
Mahiai, MAO Organic Farms - Waianae, HI
Elliot Mills
CEO, Hawaii Hospitality Group - Honolulu, HI
Michael Mina
STRIPSTEAK by Michael Mina - Honolulu, HI
Shota Nakajima
Shota Nakajima LLC - Seattle, WA
Michel Nischan
Wholesome Crave - Fairfield, CT
Alana Kobayashi Pakkala
CEO & Partner, Kobayashi Group - Honolulu, HI
Mike Palmer
Chairman, Hawaii Restaurant Association - Honolulu, HI
Jason Peel
Nami Kaze - Honolulu, HI
Dominica Rice-Cisneros
Bombera - Oakland, CA
Maya Rogers
CEO of Tetris, Founding Partner of Blue Startups - Honolulu, HI
Rich Rosendale
Rosendale Collective - Leesburg, VA
Aaron Sala
President and CEO, Hawaii Visitors and Conventions Bureau - Honolulu, HI
Kelly Sanders
President-Hawaii, Highgate - Honolulu, HI
Peter Shaindlin
Chief Operating Officer, Halekulani Corporation - Honolulu, HI
Sean Sherman
NATIFS - Minneapolis, MN
Stacy Sproat
Executive Director, Waipa Foundation - Hanalei, HI
James Tokioka
Director, Department of Business, Economic Development and Tourism - Honolulu, HI
Lisa Tomihama
SVP & Business Banking Dept. Manager, First Hawaiian Bank - Honolulu, HI
John Tsou
VP Marketing, OpenTable - San Francisco, CA
Jonathan Waxman
Barbuto - New York, NY
Mylen Yamamoto Tansingco
CEO & Founder, Cropsticks - El Segundo, CA
Kevin Yim
Vice President, Marketing & Communications, Zippy's Restaurants - Honolulu, HI
Young Yun
Executive Director, Ment'or - New York, NY
