‘Maui Chefs Cook for a Cause’ to Benefit Community Leader

Chef Riko Bartolome has always been the guy who helps—the one who jumps in with an uplifting message when someone has had a rough week; the one who bakes bread for a loved one just to say “I love you”; the one who doubles his workday in the hotel kitchen so that West Side locals would not go hungry after last year’s devastating fires. “Dad’s love language has always been food,” said his daughter Malia.

Now, after a blindsiding diagnosis of High-Risk MDS (myelodysplastic syndromes)/AML, a blood cancer that affects blood stem cells, Chef Riko is the one in need of help—and his community is already springing into action.

Fellow Maui chefs are banding together for “Maui Chefs Cook for a Cause,” a fundraiser on Sunday, July 21, from 5 to 8 p.m. at FOND, Chef Jojo Vasquez’s neighborhood eatery in the Nāpili Shopping Center. All proceeds from the event will go towards the substantial medical expenses facing the Bartolome ‘ohana.

“When the news was posted, an outpouring of support flooded social media,” said Chef Jojo. “After it set in, the only thing we wanted to do was help. That meant we were going to cook and raise money for our friend.” 

A silent auction and raffle are planned, along with music by DJ Eliza Vasquez, and of course, a delicious gourmet menu featuring action stations by Kyle Kawakami, Maui Fresh Streatery; Jeff Scheer, Marlow; Tomoko Nohina, The Pour House; Zach Laidlaw, Hua Momona Farms; Rob Mason, RJ Gourmet; Taylor Ponte, Kamado; and host chef Jojo Vasquez of FOND, a neighborhood eatery. 

Tickets to “Maui Chefs Cook for a Cause,” start at $125 as the suggested per-person minimum price and can be purchased via Eventbrite.com at https://www.eventbrite.com/e/maui-chefs-cook-for-a-cause-chefs-for-chef-riko-tickets-940768021477?aff=oddtdtcreator. Donations are greatly appreciated at GoFundMe, www.gofundme.com/f/please-help-chef-rikos-fight-with-cancer.

A graduate of New York’s Culinary Institute of America, Chef Riko was formerly executive chef of Cane & Canoe at the Montage Kapalua Bay. Under his direction, the restaurant received a Gold ‘Aipono Award for Best New Restaurant and Silver ‘Aipono Award for Hawai‘i Regional Cuisine. 

With an impressive career that began at Hyatt Regency Aventine in La Jolla, Calif., Chef Riko has led culinary programs at Grand Wailea Maui, Hotel Nikko’s Pangaea, Hotel Del Coronado’s Crown Room, W Hotel, and Asia-Vous. During his time at Asia-Vous, the restaurant was named one of the Top 10 restaurants in San Diego.

 In 2007, Chef Riko returned to Maui where he worked as a private chef in Kapalua. His signature Asian fusion style featuring island-fresh products won him rave reviews from peers and critics. With his engaging personality, he has been featured at the annual Maui AgFest’s Grand Taste, served as host chef of Whale Trust’s “Whale Tales” event, mentored students in “Kids Cook With Heart”, an interactive, educational program with the American Heart Association, and participated in Maui Visitors and Convention Bureau’s cultural chef exchange on the West Coast. 

Chef Riko and his wife Kim make their home in Kahana with rescue dog EleEle. Their son Brycen lives on Oʻahu, and daughter Malia lives north of Portland, Ore., where Chef is now undergoing treatment.

It’s been a traumatic couple of months for the Bartolome ‘ohana. Chef Riko developed lingering symptoms of a cold during a long stay in the Pacific Northwest and could not get out of bed for a month. When he returned to Maui, Kim picked him up at the airport and was so alarmed at his condition that she took him to Emergency care at Maui Memorial for extensive testing, which then led to hospitalization and blood transfusions.

The recent diagnosis of MDS is especially worrying because the condition can often lead to aggressive AML (acute myeloid leukemia). Chef was admitted to OHSU Knight Cancer Institute in Portland on June 21 and began receiving chemotherapy. With long-term treatment leading to a stem cell (bone marrow) transplant, Chef Riko has a long road ahead. But he is supported by his family and Maui ‘ohana, especially those in the culinary world who know his record of selfless giving to others.

“We know that this news comes as a shock; however, we are moving quickly and diligently to get our dad the care and treatments that he needs, while helping he and our mom get these life logistics taken care of,” daughter Malia wrote on the GoFundMe page. 

“Our parents don’t ever ask for help, and we know that even now, despite this life-changing event, it’s still hard for them to seek help. But we know that it is essential currently. With our dad not working and mom taking unpaid HFL to provide support and care for him, we’ve asked their blessing to create this page in hopes that our community can provide support at any capacity, whether it be through thoughts and prayers, monetarily, or through whatever healing modalities. Mahalo for your love and support.” 

To purchase tickets to “Maui Chefs Cook for a Cause,” go to Eventbrite.com https://www.eventbrite.com/e/maui-chefs-cook-for-a-cause-chefs-for-chef-riko-tickets-940768021477?aff=oddtdtcreator Donations at GoFundMe, www.gofundme.com/f/please-help-chef-rikos-fight-with-cancer, are also greatly appreciated. 

Plans are in the works for a possible luminaria ceremony honoring folks who have battled cancer, as well as possible concerts, bake sales and other fundraisers to help raise the prohibitive amount necessary for Chef’s medical expenses. Malia also asks that friends send photos or share favorite memories or stories with her, so that she can print them out for his hospital room.

For more information, visit www.chefriko.com