Vanessa Castillo

Lahaina Noon at Royal Lahaina Resort & Bungalows - Kaanapali, HI

Vanessa Castillo is a Maui-born chef whose culinary journey is rooted in the rich culture and flavors of Lahaina. Raised in Lahaina, Maui, and a graduate of Lahainaluna High School, Vanessa discovered her passion for cooking early and began her professional career as a morning prep cook at Maui Fish & Pasta.

While building hands-on experience in the kitchen, she pursued culinary studies at the University of Hawaii Maui College Culinary Academy before furthering her education at Le Cordon Bleu of Portland. During her time in Oregon, Vanessa worked as a cook at McCormick & Schmick’s and completed her culinary externship at Leilani’s on the Beach.

Upon returning to Maui, Vanessa joined the Montage Kapalua Bay Resort, where she advanced from Cook 4 to Cook 1, sharpening her skills in a luxury resort environment. She later served as Sous Chef at Leoda’s Kitchen and Pie Shop, further developing her leadership and culinary expertise.

Today, Vanessa proudly serves as Chef de Cuisine at Royal Lahaina Resort & Bungalows, where she brings creativity, dedication, and a deep appreciation for Hawaiʻi’s local ingredients to every dish. When she’s not in the kitchen, Vanessa enjoys dirt bike riding and spending time on the trails with her three dirt bikes.