Montage Kapalua Bay has announced two key culinary appointments: Behdad Ghofrani as director of food & beverage, and Justin Purpura as executive chef. With several decades of hospitality experience between them, and their fingers on the pulse of the ever-changing culinary landscape, both Ghofrani and Purpura will play key roles in enhancing the resort’s overall food and beverage offerings at the resort.

The duo will also be tasked with managing menu creation and dining services for four restaurants, signature and in-residence dining experiences, and banqueting for weddings, meetings, and social gatherings across the resort’s 32,400 sq. ft. of indoor and outdoor event space.

“Behdad and Justin’s appointments mark an exciting moment for our culinary ohana. With a blend of passion, expertise, and a commitment to excellence cultivated through their diverse experiences at renowned hotel and resort properties, they are poised to elevate the dining experiences for our valued guests and residents,” said Robert Friedl, general manager at Montage Kapalua Bay. “Under their guidance, we anticipate a new level of culinary innovation. We are truly privileged to welcome them aboard.”

Behdad Ghofrani – Director of Food & Beverage

Equipped with three decades of management experience and a long-standing passion for hospitality, Behdad Ghofrani joins the team at Montage Kapalua Bay after spending seven years at Marriott International, where he oversaw food and beverage operations at various properties including the Miami Beach Edition as well as the AC Downtown Los Angeles and Moxy Downtown Los Angeles.

Behdad has held leadership positions in food and beverage operations at multiple properties, including Mesén Sabika in Chicago, Hilton addresses in Chicago and San Francisco, Marina Del Rey Hotel in California, InterContinental Los Angeles Downtown, and The Miami Beach Edition. Behdad started his hospitality journey in Frankfurt Germany while studying international business at the University of Applied Sciences in Wiesbaden, Germany.

Justin Purpura – Executive Chef

Returning to Hawaiʻi for the first time in five years, Justin Purpura joins Montage Kapalua Bay from The Ritz-Carlton Bacara in Santa Barbara, California where he spent three years as executive sous chef. Previously, Purpura held positions as executive sous chef and chef de cuisine at Four Seasons Hotels & Resorts for 17 years, honing his culinary expertise across a range of dining outlets at properties across the US, including Four Seasons Resort Hualalai in Kailua-Kona, Four Seasons Resort Maui at Wailea, and other resorts within the portfolio.

Born and raised in Baltimore, Maryland, Purpura pursued an associate’s degree in culinary arts and chef training from Johnson & Wales University in Charleston, South Carolina.