Labor Day Weekend 2024 The Mauna Lani Culinary Classic
Returning for its second year, the Mauna Lani Culinary Classic is a four-day food celebration featuring James Beard Award-winning chefs. In partnership with Blue Ribbon Restaurants and non-profit organization Māla`ai: The Culinary Garden of Waimea Middle School, this one-of-a-kind festival connects chefs, sommeliers, mixologists, friends and neighbors in the spirit of culinary creativity.
Labor Day Weekend | Thursday, August 29th to Monday, September 2nd, 2024
Kamaʻāina tickets available to select events
Signature Experiences of the Culinary Classic
Omakase, The Blue Ribbon Experience
Thursday, August 29
Two seatings | 5:30 & 8PM
Hosted in the iconic Francis H. I’i Brown Suite
Chefs on the Beach
Friday, August 30
6-9:30PM
General Admission and Kamaʻāina tickets available
Culinary Classic Dinner
Saturday, August 31
VIP reception begins at 5:30PM | Dinner seating at 6:30PM
VIP, General Admission and Kamaʻāina tickets available
Four Days of Remarkable Culinary Events
Join intimate family-friendly demos led by world-renowned chefs, Hawai’i-inspired beachside celebrations and tastings from your favorite wine and spirit producers.
Kick off the weekend with a spectacular night of Hawaiian culture and cuisine in partnership with Island Breeze, featuring Hawaii’s best chefs, Allen Hess, Sheldon Simeon, Allan Nagun, Brian Hirata and more. Join us for an unforgettable lu’au steeped in community, tradition and history.
- Thursday, August 29
- 5-7:30PM
- General Admission and Kamaʻāina tickets available
- Tickets
A deep dive into the trials and tribulations of what it means to be a chef and all the challenges that come with it. A comprehensive question and answer with some of the country's most successful chefs and the everyday challenges that they face, both mental and physical, and how being a chef shapes their everyday lives.
- Friday, August 30
- 10-11:30AM
- Tickets
Join Jonathan Waxman and Tiffany Derry for an interactive lunch with two takes on world-famous dishes from some of the country's best kitchens.
- Friday, August 30
- 12-1:30PM
- General Admission tickets available
- Tickets
New World vs. Old World Wines
Friday, August 30
2:30-3:45PM
General Admission tickets available
Sarah Michelle Gellar and Kerry Bromberg present a luncheon for the ladies with light fare from Lee Anne Wong and Stephanie Izard, alongside infamous libations. Espresso tonics, anyone?
- Saturday, August 31
- 12-1:30PM
- General Admission tickets available
- Tickets
Join award-winning mixologist Manny Hinojosa and premium rum specialist Rhys Alvarado on this fun and informative journey to discover the magic triangle of tiki cocktails. Get hands-on and shake it up with the experts so you can keep the island vibes going at home.
- Saturday, August, 31st
- 2:30-3:45PM
- Tickets
Join Stephanie Izard and Pauline Lam as they brew up their favorite concoctions of tropical flavors and recipes. Learn to prepare and garnish malasada and mocktail creations in this interactive family-friendly event.
- Sunday, September 1
- 10-11:30AM
- General Admission tickets available
- Tickets
Meet the Talent
Featuring an all-star line-up of James Beard Nominated & Award-Winning Chefs
Bruce & Eric Bromberg
- James Beard Award finalists – "Outstanding Restaurateurs in America"
- Co-chefs and Founders of Blue Ribbon Restaurants
Nancy Silverton
- James Beard Award winner – "Outstanding Chef 2014"
- New York Times bestselling author
- Co-owner of the Mozza Restaurant Group: Michelin-starred Osteria Mozza, Pizzeria Mozza, Mozza2Go, chi SPACCA in Los Angeles and Pizzeria Mozza Newport Beach
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
- Executive producer and host of Bizarre Foods
- Writer and social justice advocate
Margarita Manzke
- James Beard Award winner – "Outstanding Pastry Chef or Baker"
- Author
- Baker & Co-Owner of République
Jose Garces
- James Beard Award winner – "Best Chef: Mid-Atlantic"
- "Iron Chef" winner
Tiffany Derry
- Eater Dallas’s “Chef of the Year” (2021)
- James Beard Award semi-finalist – "Best Chef: Texas"
Jonathan Waxman
- James Beard Award winner – “Best Chef: New York City”
- Executive Chef and Owner of Barbuto
Lee Anne Wong
- “Top Chef” semi-finalist
- Television producer
- Author of Dumplings All Day Wong
- Executive Chef and Owner of Koko Head Café
Sheldon Simeon
- James Beard Award nominee – “Best Chef: Northwest and Pacific"
- “Top Chef” winner
- Chef and Owner of Tiffany’s, Tin Roof Maui
Allen Hess
- Big Island culinary ambassador
- Executive Chef and Restaurateur of FORC
Vitaly Paley
- James Beard Award winner – "Best Chef: Northwest/Hawaii"
- "Iron Chef" winner
- Cookbook author
- Chef and Restaurateur of Paley’s Place
Robynne Maii
- Chef and Owner of award-winning Fête in Honolulu, Hawai'i
- James Beard Award winner – "Best Chef: Northwest and Pacific"
Brian Hirata
- Chef and Owner of Na`au, in Hilo, Hawai'i
- James Beard Award nominee – "Best Emerging Chef"
- James Beard Award semifinalist – "Best Chef: Northwest and Pacific Region"
Yasuhiro Sano
- Head Chef of Blue Ribbon Sushi, Boston
- Former Head Sushi Chef at "Washoku” in Delaware – awarded #1 Sushi Restaurant for 14 consecutive years
Manny Hinojosa
- Global Brand Ambassador for Tequila Cazadores