Winner, Winner, ‘Aipono Dinner
Maui No Ka Oi Magazine hosted the tenth annual Aipono Awards Gala last month. Join Dining Diva as she dishes all the juicy details about the festivities.
Friend of Agriculture Joey Macadangdang, Joey’s Kitchen
"As a restaurateur, Joey embodies the true spirit of island hospitality."
2017 Chef of the Year Jojo Vasquez
As executive chef at The Plantation House, Jojo Vasquez creates light and delectable island-style fare.
2009 Chef of the Year: Perry Bateman
Unlike many of his colleagues, Chef Perry Bateman didn’t sharpen his knives in culinary school; he was raised in restaurants.
2020 Chef of the Year: Taylor Ponte
Every year Maui’s chefs vote to elect one of their own the ‘Aipono Chef of the Year, seeking the peer that most inspires them.
Award-Winning Food: What Makes a Winner?
These four ‘Aipono awardees prove that there’s more than one path to success.
2014 Chef of the Year: Isaac Bancaco
Isaac Bancaco is the new generation Hawaiian chef, working to promote Maui as a cultural destination driven by food.
The World on a Plate without Leaving Home
The 2013 Aipono Award winners offer dishes from around the world without having to leave Maui. Travel to Hollywood, the American heartland, South America, Italy and Japan.
2010 Chef of the Year: Cameron Lewark
Cameron Lewark wanted to be a chef since the fifth grade, when he began cooking dinner for his overworked mom.
2016 ʻAipono Maui Restaurant Award Winners
The ʻAipono Restaurant Awards on Maui took on Sunday April 10, when Chef Mike Lofaro was named Maui Chef of the Year for 2016 and Monkeypod Kitchen was named Restaurant of the Year.
2013 Chef of the Year: Sheldon Simeon
For the first time in ‘Aipono’s eleven-year history, Maui’s chefs elected one of their own to a second reign as Chef of the Year.
Special ‘Aipono Awards
Each year, ʻAipono honors a few individuals and companies chosen by industry professionals. Here are the 2016 winners.
Excellence in Sustainability 2018
Andaz lends bicycles to guests free of charge, and has placed EV stations on the property, with free charging for employees.
2011 Maui Chef of the Year: Sheldon Simeon
Getting not one but two James Beard nominations is every chef’s dream, but Simeon hasn’t let it spoil his humility.
Winning Ways
Island flavors, a corker of a wine list, and a Haiku eatery that's pure poetry ... ʻAipono 2014 winners arrive at excellence by many an innovative path.
Maui Ku‘ia Estate Chocolate: Excellence in Sustainability Award winner
Meet the 2020 ‘Aipono Excellence in Sustainability Award winner: Maui Ku‘ia Estate Chocolate.
2020 Lifetime Achievement Award
Meet Peter Merriman, the 2020 ‘Aipono Lifetime Achievement Award winner.
2017 Maui Restaurant Awards
2017 Maui Restaurant Awards Gala will be Sunday, April 23, 2017 at the Hyatt Regency Maui Resort & Spa.
2020 Friend of Agriculture Award
Meet the 2020 ‘Aipono Friend of Agriculture Award winner: Greg Gifford.
ʻAipono Awards Run-down
Gossip Gourmet dishes about the 2006 'Aipono Awards, and doles out prizes of her own.
Moku Roots: Excellence in Sustainability Restaurant Award winner
Meet the 2020 ‘Aipono Excellence in Sustainability Restaurant Award winner: Moku Roots.
Excellence in Sustainability: Fairmont Kea Lani
Congratulations to Fairmont Kea Lani, winner of Pacific Biodiesel’s Excellence in Sustainability Award.
ʻAipono Icon 2018
In 1974, Erdman established, of all things, a winery. Read more about this patron of Maui's agriculture and culinary scene.
2012 Chef of the Year: Roger Stettler
Roger Stettler may be the most famous Maui chef the average visitor hasn’t heard of.
2015 ʻAipono Special Awards
Each year, the Aipono Restaurant Awards honors a few individuals and companies chosen by industry professionals.
