Maui No Ka Oi Announces Winners of ‘Aipono Restaurant Awards
Jeff Scheer pf Maui Executive Catering earned the prestigious “Chef of the Year” award. The title is decided by peer review, voted on exclusively by Maui chefs and industry insiders.
By Debra Lordan
The 2015 ‘Aipono Restaurant Awards ceremonies were held on April 26 on the Sheraton Maui Resort and Spa’s Ocean Lawn, drawing a crowd of 450 attendees and participants to honor the island’s finest restaurants. This was the largest ‘Aipono Awards Gala to date.
The ‘Aipono Restaurant Awards are the first, high-profile dining awards devoted entirely to Maui. The awards celebrate the stars of Maui’s culinary industry as well as students of the University of Hawai‘i Maui College’s Culinary Academy.
“‘Aipono,” the name for these prestigious awards, is derived from two Hawaiian words–‘ai, which means “to eat,” and pono, which means “excellence.”
The 13th Annual ‘Aipono Restaurant Awards recognize Maui’s best restaurants in three-dozen categories as voted by Maui Nō Ka ‘Oi Magazine readers. More than 2,000 readers voted this year. The prestigious “Chef of the Year” title is decided by peer review, voted on exclusively by Maui chefs and industry insiders.
During the gala, attendees were transported to the Casbah—no magic carpet required—for a celebration with a Mediterranean/North African-theme.
The gala serves as a benefit for the Maui Culinary Academy. Since its launch in 2003, ticket sales have generated more than $200,000 for the school, and scholarships for deserving students.
In addition, academy students gain the invaluable experience of working with sponsor restaurant chefs on the day of the event as they help to prepare the evening’s dinner. More than 52 students worked alongside the chefs and banquet/stewarding teams.
Throughout the year, ‘Aipono raises additional funds for MCA with wine dinners held at ‘Aipono-winning restaurants, where advanced Sommelier Charles Fredy of Chambers & Chambers Wine Merchants leads guests on explorations of wines from around the globe, in a dinner paired with cuisine by the venue’s chef.
2015 ʻAipono Winners
Restaurant of the Year
Mama’s Fish House
Chef of the Year
Jeff Scheer, Maui Executive Catering
Maui County Farm Bureau’s Friend of Agriculture
Executive Chef Francois Milliet, Westin Kā‘anapali Ocean Resort Villas
Excellence in Sustainability
Hyatt Regency Maui Resort & Spa
Lifetime Achievement Award
Chef Paris Nabavi, Pizza Paradiso & Sangrita Grill & Cantina
Icon Award
Clyde Sakamoto, UH Maui College
Gold |
Silver |
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RESTAURANT |
Mama’s Fish House |
Ka‘ana Kitchen |
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BEST NEW RESTAURANT |
TIE FOR GOLD Cane & Canoe |
TIE FOR GOLD Cow Pig Bun |
Sale Pepe |
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MOST |
Mama’s Fish House |
Monkeypod Kitchen |
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BEST RESTAURANT ON AN ISLAND |
Alan Wong’s Honolulu |
Nobu Lāna’i |
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BEST SERVICE |
Spago |
Lahaina Grill |
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BEST OCEANFRONT DINING |
Mama’s Fish House |
TIE FOR SILVER Honu Seafood & Pizza |
TIE FOR SILVER Sea House Restaurant |
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MOST ROMANTIC |
Capische? |
Merriman’s Kapalua |
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BEST SHORTS & SLIPPERS DINING |
Hula Grill |
Aloha Mixed Plate |
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BEST HEALTHY CHOICES |
Choice Health Bar |
Mala |
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MOST INNOVATIVE MENU |
Ka‘ana Kitchen |
MiGRANT |
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BEST BREAKFAST |
Plantation House |
The Gazebo |
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BEST BUSINESS LUNCH |
Longhi’s |
Bistro Casanova |
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BEST HAPPY HOUR |
Sea House Restaurant |
Monkeypod Kitchen |
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BEST ASIAN |
Morimoto Maui |
Sansei Seafood Restaurant & Sushi Bar |
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BEST SOUTHEAST ASIAN |
A Saigon Cafe |
Thai Chef |
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BEST BURGER |
Cow Pig Bun |
Mala |
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BEST HAWAI‘I REGIONAL |
TIE FOR GOLD Kō |
TIE FOR GOLD Spago |
Cane & Canoe |
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BEST |
Japengo |
Pacific’O |
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BEST LŪAU |
Old Lahaina Lūau |
TIE FOR SILVER The Feast at Lele |
TIE FOR SILVER Wailele Polynesian Lū‘au |
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BEST ITALIAN |
TIE FOR GOLD Pūlehu, an Italian Grill |
TIE FOR GOLD Sale Pepe |
Ferraro’s Bar e Ristorante |
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BEST MEXICAN |
Sangrita Grill + Cantina |
Roasted Chiles |
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BEST NOODLES |
Star Noodle |
MiGRANT |
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BEST PIZZA |
Flatbread Company |
Prison Street Pizza |
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BEST |
Aloha Mixed Plate |
Da Kitchen |
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BEST FISH |
Mama’s Fish House |
Nick’s Fishmarket |
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BEST FISH TACO |
Coconuts Fish Café |
Ocean Pool Bar & Grill |
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BEST |
Maui Fresh Streatery |
Shark Pit |
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BEST POKE |
Tamura’s Fine Wine & Liquors |
Foodland |
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BEST STEAK |
TIE FOR GOLD Duo |
TIE FOR GOLD Son’z Steakhouse |
Pineapple Grill |
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BEST SUSHI |
Japengo |
Nuka |
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BEST DESSERT |
TIE FOR GOLD Leoda’s Kitchen & Pie Shop |
TIE FOR GOLD Mama’s Fish House |
Pineapple Grill |
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BEST SHAVE ICE |
Ululani’s Hawaiian Shave Ice |
Kō |
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BEST BAR |
TIE FOR GOLD Fleetwood’s on Front St. |
TIE FOR GOLD Lahaina Grill |
Cliff Dive Grill |
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BEST COCKTAILS |
TIE FOR GOLD Black Rock Lounge |
TIE FOR GOLD Ka‘ana Kitchen |
Cow Pig Bun |
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BEST WINE LIST |
Nick’s Fishmarket |
Lahaina Grill |
Jeff Scheer pf Maui Executive Catering earned the prestigious “Chef of the Year” award. The title is decided by peer review, voted on exclusively by Maui chefs and industry insiders.
The “Best Steak” award went to Son’z Steakhouse (pictured, Donnie and Desi Abernathy) in a tie with Duo. The “Best Fish & Seafood” silver and “Best Wine List” gold awards went to Nick’s Fishmarket. Photo courtesy of Maui No Ka ‘Oi Magazine.
Mike Umetsu’s Kalinti (chickpea flan with marinated tomatoes and eggplant). Photo courtesy of Maui No Ka ‘Oi Magazine.
Craig Omori’s Baba Ganoush (roasted eggplant and yogurt mousse with cinnamon and mint). Photo courtesy of Maui No Ka ‘Oi Magazine.
A Saigon Cafe. (Left to right) Jason Chau, Lucia Choe, Ranae Cerizo, owner Jennifer Nguyen, Joyce Harris, Val Matsunaga and Francisco Cerizo. Photo courtesy of Maui No Ka ‘Oi Magazine.
Maui Belly Groove dancers entertain at reception. Photo courtesy of Maui No Ka ‘Oi Magazine.
Courtesy of Maui No Ka ‘Oi Magazine.
Maui Belly Groove dancers entertain at reception. Photo courtesy of Maui No Ka ‘Oi Magazine.
Sale Pepe owners Qiana and Chef Michele Bari tied for the gold with Pūlehu, an Italian Grill, in the “Best Italian” category. Photo courtesy of Maui No Ka ‘Oi Magazine.
Pūlehu, an Italian Grill (pictured) tied for the gold with Sale Pepe in the “Best Italian” category. Photo courtesy of Maui No Ka ‘Oi Magazine. Photo courtesy of Maui No Ka ‘Oi Magazine.
Stevie Ray Williams, MCA’s “Rising Star” scholarship winner for “Excellence in the Culinary Arts.” Cinda Hueu, MCA’s “Exemplary Graduate Award” winner. Photo courtesy of Maui No Ka ‘Oi Magazine.
Lifetime Achievement winner Chef Paris Nabavi, Diane Haynes-Woodburn, Chris Speere, external outreach coordinator for Maui Culinary Academy. Photo courtesy of Maui No Ka ‘Oi Magazine.
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