Private Chef Recommendation

[L+JDisneyFans]

We are traveling in a group of 11 - 5 adults and 5 kiddos. We have a 2 br villa and a 1 br villa. As a unique treat, we’d like to hire a private chef to come in and make dinner for us one evening.

Does anyone have suggestions/recommendations for chefs or catering companies?

 

[JC1984]

@corgi_monster is one of the local experts. Surely she will know!

 

[cgattis]

@corgi_monster is one of the local experts. Surely she will know!

And @FoodieFriend is another good resource!

 

[OKW Lover]

We are traveling in a group of 11 - 5 adults and 5 kiddos. We have a 2 br villa and a 1 br villa. As a unique treat, we’d like to hire a private chef to come in and make dinner for us one evening.

Does anyone have suggestions/recommendations for chefs or catering companies?

We did this in September. Unfortunately I don't have the info about who we hired but I have contacted our travel friends to find out.

 

[OKW Lover]

We used Chef Andrew at Course. http://www.coursehawaii.com

It was a great experience. Chef Andrew brought everything he needed and cleaned up afterward. Highly recommended.

 

[JC1984]

We used Chef Andrew at Course. http://www.coursehawaii.com

It was a great experience. Chef Andrew brought everything he needed and cleaned up afterward. Highly recommended.

What does something like this run? Cheaper than a meal at Dukes?

 

[OKW Lover]

What does something like this run? Cheaper than a meal at Dukes?

I actually don't know. It was paid by the quests we had staying with us and I felt it would be tacky to ask.

 

[JC1984]

I actually don't know. It was paid by the quests we had staying with us and I felt it would be tacky to ask.

Understood was just curious

 

[corgi_monster]

Kennan Lam of Concept Catering is my go-to! He worked at Halekulani for decades before opening up his own business. What I really like about his food is that it’s elevated, local style cuisine. Think new-school Roy Yamagichi, Allen Wong style food.

Some of his clients include the owners of ABC stores, the headmasters of Hawaii’s top private schools and large companies like HMSA. But here’s the kicker - his rates are SUPER affordable.

https://www.conceptcateringhi.com/

 

[corgi_monster]

What does something like this run? Cheaper than a meal at Dukes?

It really depends on how many people you’re feeding, how fancy you like your food, and if the chef will charge for traveling to Aulani. I’d budget closer to $100-$200 per person but I’d also expect the food would be far superior to Duke’s.

 

[JC1984]

Kennan Lam of Concept Catering is my go-to! He worked at Halekulani for decades before opening up his own business. What I really like about his food is that it’s elevated, local style cuisine. Think new-school Roy Yamagichi, Allen Wong style food.

Some of his clients include the owners of ABC stores, the headmasters of Hawaii’s top private schools and large companies like HMSA. But here’s the kicker - his rates are SUPER affordable.

https://www.conceptcateringhi.com/

Would you recommend him even with 2 toddlers? My kids aren’t too picky

 

[JC1984]

It really depends on how many people you’re feeding, how fancy you like your food, and if the chef will charge for traveling to Aulani. I’d budget closer to $100-$200 per person but I’d also expect the food would be far superior to Duke’s.

And I meant Roy’s don’t know why I was thinking Dukes.

 

[corgi_monster]

And I meant Roy’s don’t know why I was thinking Dukes.

Personally, I think Keenan's food is better than Roy's, but I'm also not a huge fan of Roy's. I think of Roy's as the Ruth Chris or Morton's of Pacific Rim cuisine - all decent chains, they serve good food, are far from being the best restaurant in town, but they get a lot of business because people are familiar with the name. The exception would be the original Roy's in Hawaii Kai which is significantly better. I used to live near Aulani, but we'd drive across the island to Hawaii Kai Roy's even though Ko Olina was less than 10 minutes away.

If you're looking for a restaurant with a menu/experience similar to Roy's, try MW Restaurant - that's where the locals go. Coincidentally, Keenan and the owner of MW went to school together. Another classmate of theirs runs a plate lunch spot called Hamada General Store. Those two restaurants represent some of the best, modern takes on authentic local (not Hawaiian) food.

https://mwrestaurant.com/https://hamadageneralstore.com/

 

[JC1984]

Personally, I think Keenan's food is better than Roy's, but I'm also not a huge fan of Roy's. I think of Roy's as the Ruth Chris or Morton's of Pacific Rim cuisine - all decent chains, they serve good food, are far from being the best restaurant in town, but they get a lot of business because people are familiar with the name. The exception would be the original Roy's in Hawaii Kai which is significantly better. I used to live near Aulani, but we'd drive across the island to Hawaii Kai Roy's even though Ko Olina was less than 10 minutes away.

If you're looking for a restaurant with a menu/experience similar to Roy's, try MW Restaurant - that's where the locals go. Coincidentally, Keenan and the owner of MW went to school together. Another classmate of theirs runs a plate lunch spot called Hamada General Store. Those two restaurants represent some of the best, modern takes on authentic local (not Hawaiian) food.

https://mwrestaurant.com/https://hamadageneralstore.com/

Thanks for the many recommendations. I truly value your opinions and knowledge of all things Hawaii and Aulani. Hopefully we can reserve Chef Keenan and if not we will look into one of your other recommendations!

 

[JC1984]

Just wanted to update. I reached out to Chef Kennan who @corgi_monster recommended. He is EXTREMELY nice. He is able to accommodate the night we want in January for a private dinner for my wife and I after the kids go down. He told me in about a week he is going to send me 3 custom menus with 3 different price points and said we can customize anything we want. Just from my short conversation I am already liking his vibe and I am excited to meet him and taste his food. I’ll post an updates as we progress.

 

[corgi_monster]

Just wanted to update. I reached out to Chef Kennan who @corgi_monster recommended. He is EXTREMELY nice. He is able to accommodate the night we want in January for a private dinner for my wife and I after the kids go down. He told me in about a week he is going to send me 3 custom menus with 3 different price points and said we can customize anything we want. Just from my short conversation I am already liking his vibe and I am excited to meet him and taste his food. I’ll post an updates as we progress.

I’m glad you were able to connect with him. Yes, he’s as nice they come. True local boy!