Michael Mina

Michael Mina

Michael Mina is the chef, founder, and executive chairman of Mina Group, a nationally acclaimed restaurant management company with over 30 chef-driven concepts across the U.S., celebrating the best in food, wine, and hospitality. Born in Cairo, Egypt, and raised in...
Mark Noguchi

Mark Noguchi

Born and raised in Manoa, Oahu, Mark “Gooch” Noguchi brings infectious energy to everything he does – whether he’s teaching at Punahou School, leading kitchens as a chef of 25 years, or sailing with Ohana Waa. His enthusiasm is unmistakable and draws...
Shaymus Alwin

Shaymus Alwin

Shaymus Alwin has returned to The Royal Hawaiian, a Luxury Collection Resort as its executive chef after spending nearly 10 years at the resort’s culinary landmark, Azure Restaurant. As executive chef, he oversees all culinary operations across the 528-room property,...
Niki Nakayama & Carole Iida-Nakayama

Niki Nakayama & Carole Iida-Nakayama

Niki Nakayama and Carole Iida-Nakayama are the creative and culinary forces behind n/naka, the Michelin-starred destination in West Los Angeles known for its refined interpretation of modern kaiseki—a traditional Japanese culinary philosophy that emphasizes...
Jacqueline Lau

Jacqueline Lau

Jacqueline Lau began working for Roy Yamaguchi a few weeks after he opened his original Roy’s Restaurant in Honolulu in late 1988. Beginning as a pastry chef, she quietly became adept at all phases of Roy’s Kitchen operation, rising to the position of Yamaguchi’s...