A Maui Roadshow at Hapa Ramen
“Top Chef” finalist Sheldon Simeon of Maui plates an appetizer at Hapa Ramen.
Last week, a trio of Maui chefs brought their brand of modern aloha cooking to San Francisco.
And there was nary a macadamia-nut crusted mahi mahi to be seen.
Instead, Chefs Isaac Bancaco of Ka’ana Kitchen, Jeff Scheer of Maui Executive Catering, and “Top Chef” fan favorite Sheldon Simeon of Migrant, are part of the new wave of young chefs now adding a fresh spin to island cuisine by emphasizing local ingredients in dynamic preparations.
The trio showcased their cooking at invitation-only events last week at Hapa Ramen in the Mission. Call it a cross-cultural exchange, as Hapa Ramen Chef-Owner Richie Nakano is headed to Maui later this year to show off his California cooking chops.
A kitchen mascot at the pass at Hapa Ramen.
Wall art.
I was lucky enough to be invited to the dinner for media and travel industry folks.
Appropriately enough, the night started off with a pink-hued Rangoon Gimlet made with Maui Ocean Organic Vodka, lime and angostura.