Q&A: Sheldon Simeon
From working at Pizza Hut to celebrity status, Sheldon Simeon has come a long way from his humble roots in Hilo on the Big Island. After his appearance on Bravo’s “Top Chef: Seattle” this year — and finishing in the top three and earning the title of “Fan Favorite” — Simeon is only just starting.
Q&A: Richard Rosendale
It’s not in Richard Rosendale‘s DNA to give up. He learned that from his mom, who raised him and his sister by herself. When a fire on Christmas Day destroyed everything they had, his valiant mother stayed strong and pushed through. And that’s been the motivation behind this certified master chef and 2013 U.S.A. candidate for the Bocuse d’Or, who has already amassed more than 45 national and international medals.
Girl’s Got Game
The Hawaii Food & Wine Festival puts a spotlight on the women who are revolutionizing the culinary and agriculture industries. Discover the unique stories of farmer Shin Ho, pastry chefs Christina Tosi and Joanne Chang, and chef Lee Anne Wong.
Q&A: Michel Richard
Born in Brittany and raised in Champagne, Michel Richard knew he wanted to be a chef when he first saw a restaurant kitchen — at age eight. He started as a pastry chef, working in Gaston Lenorm’s esteemed pastry shop and running his own bakery in Los Angeles. Ten years later, he opened Michel Richard, then Citrus, to immediate acclaim. He’s won awards, written books and won’t buy unsustainable fish, period.
Q&A: Alan Wong
Alan Wong owes his life to the movie “PT 109.” This 1963 biographical film about President John F. Kennedy’s war time experiences of captaining a PT boat that was sunk by a Japanese destroyer during World War II was the first thing that came to his mind when the fishing boat he was on capsized in the waters off the Waianae Coast. Here’s more you didn’t know about this James Beard Award-winning chef.
Q&A: Roy Choi
Think Korean tacos from a food truck, and you’ll think of Roy Choi. Though he’s best known the social media food phenomena that is Kogi BBQ, Choi, who operates three other restaurants in the L.A. area, is a bad ass in the culinary world, with strong opinions about food and no fear of sharing them.
Q&A: Josiah Citrin
Josiah Citrin was 13 when he went on his first surf trip — to Oahu. Now, the passionate chef/owner of the highly acclaimed Melisse Restaurant in Santa Monica, Calif. visits the Islands often, and usually with his surfboard. Just this year Citrin recently opened Sure Thing Burger in Lahaina with partner Scott Picard. Looks Iike he’ll be coming here even more often.