Maui “Top Chef” Sheldon Simeon to Host Benefit Dinner for Alma Mater

Chef Sheldon Simeon will prepare and host a special family-style dinner to benefit his alma mater, the University of Hawaiʻi Maui College Culinary Arts Program.

The event takes place on Thursday, Sept. 19, 2019 at The Leis Family Class Act Restaurant in the Pāʻina Building on the UH Maui College campus.

Chef Nolan Gonzales will be Sheldon’s Sous Chef and Lineage Mixologist Natalie Hansen will mix the cocktails. Like Simeon, they are both graduates of the UHMC Culinary Arts program.

Simeon is the chef/owner of popular Maui restaurants Tin Roof and Lineage, winner of numerous accolades and awards, Fan Favorite on both the Seattle and Charleston seasons of Bravos’ “Top Chef,” and a 2002 graduate of the University of Hawaiʻi Maui College Culinary Arts Program.

“It seems like yesterday that I was on this campus as a culinary student and in the blink of an eye, here I am 17 years later standing as chef. The road was no easy task, but it was the lessons and values learned here that prepared me for the experiences that followed. My biggest inspiration for my cooking is my family, friends and my community and I hope you will feel that at this very special dinner.”

“We love having such a successful graduate of our program out there doing such great things for our Island’s culinary community,” said UHMC Culinary Arts Program Coordinator Chef Teresa Shurilla. “And we’re very grateful to him for spearheading this great benefit dinner.”

A specialty cocktail reception begins at 5:30 p.m., with dinner set to start at 6 p.m.

This University of Hawai‘i Foundation event is limited to 60 guests. Tickets cost $165 per person and includes wine pairings (gratuities at guests’ discretion). Reservations are available via OpenTable or by calling the restaurant at (808) 984-3280.

Chef Sheldon Simeon. Courtesy photo.