Labor Day Weekend | Thursday, August 31st to Sunday, September 3rd The Mauna Lani Culinary Classic
Mauna Lani presents the inaugural Mauna Lani Culinary Classic, a three-day food celebration featuring the best in gastronomy, wine and mixology. Showcasing award-winning local and national talent as well as an unbeatable line-up of experiences, the Culinary Classic connects chefs, sommeliers, mixologists, friends and neighbors in the name of culinary creativity.
Thursday, August 31st, to Sunday, September 3rd, 2023 | Three-day food festival featuring James Beard Award-winning talent at Mauna Lani, Auberge Resorts Collection
Kamaʻāina tickets available for all Culinary Classic events | Please note that proof of Hawai’i residency is required upon entry
Exclusive room rates available for guests of the Culinary Classic
À la carte and All Access Passes available. All Access Passes grant access to entry to all six Culinary Classic events plus an “After Hours” meet-and-greet with the chefs, a VIP champagne and caviar reception prior to the Culinary Classic Dinner, and an exclusive Sunday Brunch with the chefs. Inquire with mnl.culinaryclassic@aubergeresorts.com.
12 James Beard Nominated & Award-Winning Chefs | 6 Unique Events
Featuring an all-star line-up of locally and nationally renowned chefs, sommeliers and mixologists
Bruce and Eric Bromberg
James Beard Award finalists; “Outstanding Restauranteurs in America” | Co-Chefs and Founders of Blue Ribbon Restaurants
Stephanie Izard
James Beard Award winner; “Best Chef: Great Lakes” | Executive Chef of Girl & the Goat
Andrew Zimmern
Emmy- and James Beard Award-winning TV personality
Shilpa Uskokovic
Pastry Chef | Food Editor at Bon Appétit | Columnist of Baking How’s, Why’s & WTF’s
Jose Garces
Iron Chef | James Beard Award winner; “Best Chef: Mid-Atlantic”
Tiffany Derry
Founder of Roots Southern Table & T2D Concepts | Multiple James Beard Award Nominee & Spokesperson for the James Beard Foundation's sustainability program
Jonathan Waxman
Executive Chef and Owner of Barbuto | James Beard Award winner; “Best Chef: New York City”
Mark Libunao
Executive Chef of CanoeHouse
Sheldon Simeon
Executive Chef & Owner of Maui-based restaurants Tiffany's & Tin Roof | Top Chef
Lee Anne Wong
Executive Chef and Owner of Koko Head Café | Top Chef
Vitaly Paley
Executive Chef & Founder of Paley's Place | James Beard Award winner; "Best Chef: Northwest/Hawaii"
Hongki Lee
Head Sushi Chef at Blue Ribbon Sushi – Palisades Village
Tetsu Yagi
Head Sushi Chef at Blue Ribbon Sushi Bar & Grill – Financial District (NYC)
Setsuji Mitsui
Head Sushi Chef at Blue Ribbon Sushi Bar & Grill – Red Rock (Las Vegas)
Ken Forkish
Chef & Founder of Ken's Artisan Bakery, Ken's Artisan Pizza | Author of James Beard Award winning cookbook and New York Times bestseller "Flour Water Salt Yeast"
Allen Hess
Executive Chef of FORC | Big Island Culinary Ambassador
Sam Choy
Executive Chef of Sam Choy's Kai Lanai | James Beard Award winner; "America's Classics: Restaurant & Chef"
Christopher Ramelb
Master Sommelier
Manny Hinojosa
Global Brand Ambassador for Tequila Cazadores
Francesco Lafranconi
Mixologist of the Year | Golden Spirit Award winner
Three Days of Foodie Heaven
From traditional Omakase experiences to chef-led masterclasses along our oceanfront, the Culinary Classic unveils six one-of-a-kind events hosted across Mauna Lani’s storied grounds. Through these events, we invite you to eat, drink and ideate with culinary trailblazers.
Kauai-born Master Sommelier Chris Ramelb explores the globe’s most volcanic regions, from Mt. Etna to the Canaries. Let us toast to mother nature’s most memorable wines.
- Thursday, August 31st, from 2:30-3:30PM | Ages 21+
- CanoeHouse
- Featuring wines from volcanic regions around the globe and bites by the Waimea Butcher Shop
- Kamaʻāina pricing: $175 per person
Celebrate 30 years of Blue Ribbon tales and tastes with owners Bruce and Eric Bromberg, as well as Blue Ribbon Sushi’s Hongki Lee, Setsuji Mitsui and Tetsu Yagi. Talk story around the table while sampling Blue Ribbon’s most iconic creations.
- Sold out; get your hands on Blue Ribbon at Sushi Master Class
- Thursday, August 31st, with seatings at 5PM and 7:45PM | Ages 12+
- Francis H. I’i Brown Suite
- Showcasing pours by La Fête Wine Co. and cocktails by Francesco Lafranconi
- Kamaʻāina pricing: $450 per person
Make sushi like a master with Blue Ribbon Sushi’s Eric Bromberg, Hongki Lee, Setsuji Mitsui and Tetsu Yagi. Indulge in exquisite cuts by the masters themselves while learning to make perfect nigiri, maki, hand rolls and Hamachi Usuzukuri.
- Friday, September 1st, from 12 to 1:30PM | Ages 12+
- Francis H. I'i Brown Suite
- Sushi, sake and pours from La Fête du Blanc
- Kamaʻāina pricing: $275 per person
Shaken or stirred, cocktails taste better with an ocean view. Belly up to the bar for a “mix-off” between award-winning mixologists Manny Hinojosa and Francesco Lafranconi, featuring award-winning tequilas, gins and summer spritzes from Moët & Chandon Ice Imperial.
- Saturday, September 2nd, from 2:30 to 3:30PM | Ages 21+
- Francis H. I'i Brown Suite
- Classic cocktails with an island-inspired spin and bites by HāLani
- Kamaʻāina pricing: $175 per person
Kamaʻāina and Industry Rates Available Chefs on the Beach
Purchase Tickets
Friday, September 1st | 6:30 to 9PM
A surfside bash honoring local chefs, purveyors and our community partner, Māla'ai, Chefs on the Beach is a once-in-a-lifetime celebration dedicated to our home of Hawai’i. Music, culinary surprises, a silent auction and libations from Bacardi, Moët Ice Imperial and Château d'Esclans Whispering Angel blend seamlessly in tribute to the precedent set by generations of esteemed local chefs. Joining our very own Executive Chef Allan Nagun and Pastry Chef Pauline Lam are renowned Hawai’i-based chefs Sam Choy, Allen Hess, Vitaly Paley, Ken Forkish, Sheldon Simeon and Lee Anne Wong. | Ages 12+ | Kamaʻāina pricing: $200 per person
CanoeHouse hosts James Beard Award-Winning Talent The Culinary Classic Dinner
Purchase Tickets
Saturday, September 2nd | 5:30PM
Three days of gastronomy culminate in this Big Island-inspired pièce de résistance, featuring a 7-course dinner at Mauna Lani’s signature restaurant, CanoeHouse. Sample hors d'oeuvres and sip Moët & Chandon Brut Imperial, followed by cocktails by Belvedere and Volcan, available only at the Culinary Classic. On the other side of golden hour are 7 courses, each prepared and presented by Bruce and Eric Bromberg, Tiffany Derry, Jose Garces, Stephanie Izard, Shilpa Uskokovic, Jonathan Waxman and Andrew Zimmern, featuring wine pairings by Chris Ramelb. VIP ticket grants exclusive access to a champagne reception hosted by Veuve Clicquot La Grande Dame and Sterling Caviar. | Ages 12+ | Kamaʻāina pricing: $325 per person
September 2nd & 3rd | Visiting Chefs Take Over Surf Shack
For two days only, a few of our favorite award-winning chefs and restauranteurs are putting their spin on Surf Shack's menu.
Surf Shack Takeover feat. Lee Anne Wong
"Top Chef" alum and co-owner of O'ahu's Koko Head Café is reimagining Surf Shack for one day only, featuring ingredients cultivated from Maui to Hawai'i Island. Come for the views and stick around for the dumplings.
- Saturday, September 2nd | 11:30AM - 4PM
- All ages welcome
- Advanced reservations not required
Surf Shack Takeover feat. Vitaly Paley and Ken Forkish
Dually inspired by their hometown of Portland and their new home on the Big Island, James Beard award-winning chefs Vitaly Paley and Ken Forkish are unveiling one-of-a-kind dishes best enjoyed beachside.
- Sunday, September 3rd | 11:30AM - 4PM
- All ages welcome
- Advanced reservations not required
Exclusive Room Rates
Make it a weekend to remember. Guests of the Culinary Classic enjoy exclusive room rates. Embrace the final moments of summer aboard an outrigger canoe, beyond our legendary coast's coral reefs or in a cabana at the Adult Pool.
Māla‘ai: The Culinary Garden of Waimea Middle School
The Mauna Lani Culinary Classic is pleased to partner with Māla‘ai: The Culinary Garden of Waimea Middle School. Together, we aim to provide purposeful experiences while creating meaningful connections that nurture our existing community and the generations to come.
Social Purpose
Learn MoreWe would like to extend gratitude to our Culinary Classic partners
Nalu Creative, Nalu Builds, Moët Hennessy, First Hawaiian Bank, Bacardi, La Fête Wine Co., Tahoe Kitchen Company, Uila Records, Sterling Caviar, Mananalu, Bragard, Creekstone Beef, Yama Seafood, True World Seafood, Blue Ocean Mariculture and Kona Brewing Co. Mahalo!