Colin Sato

Mugen - Honolulu, HI

Colin Sato is a Hawaii native who has led some of the state’s top hotel restaurants, including Moana Surfrider and The Royal Hawaiian. He took the helm at the Forbes five-star rated Mugen Waikiki in 2023 and introduced an exciting new dinner menu and concept.
After graduating from Saint Louis School in 2003, Sato got a true taste of the industry when he got a job as a busboy at a small restaurant and found his way working in the kitchen instead. He went on to work as a dishwasher/pantry worker at the former L’Uraku Restaurant while he studied culinary arts at Kapiolani Community College (KCC).
While studying at KCC, Colin Sato won the Tom and Warren Matsuda Scholarship Competition hosted by Chef Roy Yamaguchi; he also won Pamela Young’s Mixed Plate Cooking Competition. Sato cites chefs Alan Wong and Wade Ueoka as those who influenced him in his career and helped to change the way he looks at food—encouraging him not to settle, but to always strive for greatness.
Following his graduation from KCC, he began working at a variety of restaurants including L’Uraku, 3660 On The Rise, Alan Wong’s, Trump Waikiki, The Modern Honolulu, and Momo Burger food truck. He started at Azure Restaurant, the culinary landmark at The Royal Hawaiian in late 2013. Under the mentorship of Executive Chef Colin Hazama, Sato honed his skills in the kitchen and was given opportunities to create new menu items for the Mai Tai Bar and Surf Lanai.
When he’s not at work he enjoys spending time with his wife Lindsey and son Luke.