Hot Chef
Chef Ernesto Limcaco, Y. Hata
Chef Ernesto Limcaco grew up with a great role model in the restaurant industry. “My mom was a dynamite cook,” he says. “She owned two restaurants, one in the Philippines and one in San Francisco.”
But the most valuable lesson he learned from her was not about cooking. “Successful restaurateurs understand as much about receipts as [...]
Chef Vikram Garg, Halekulani
When Vikram Garg arrived at Halekulani last October, you could almost feel the winds of change blow in from the ocean, gently drifting through Orchids and softly kissing House Without a Key before sweeping upstairs to La Mer. Naturally, change at AAA Five Diamond Award-winning restaurants like La Mer must come at a dignified and [...]
June-July 2009 | Jo McGarry | 0 comments | ContinuedChef Roger Bartle
Cooking at Hawaii’s most exclusive golf club
It was love at first sight in 1991 when Chef Roger Bartle flew into Lanai as part of the opening team for the Manele Bay Hotel – and he’s been hooked on Hawaii ever since.
“I worked for two rock resorts in Arizona and Wyoming, and from there had [...]
Chef Michael Bilger
Executive Chef of Kukio Beach Clubhouse and Kukio Golf Clubhouse
Kukio on the Big Island of Hawaii is an area befit for royalty. Nestled on the dormant Hualalai volcano, Kukio’s scenic natural views, white-shored beaches and abundant ahupuaa sustainable system of life made it throughout history a much-revered destination for Hawaii’s chiefs.
In the modern age, Kukio [...]
Chef Jean-Pierre Maharibatcha, Oahu Country Club
A funny thing happened to Jean-Pierre Maharibatcha on his way to becoming an architect. He became a chef. Actually, his mother had hoped he would become a tailor. But the only styling Maharibatcha does these days is unique food presentations.
That pleases diners at Oahu Country Club, where Maharibatcha, 55, is executive chef. They say this [...]
Chef Ryan Durham, Plaza Club
You might say that Ryan Durham has had a “lofty” career as chef. His cooking talents have taken him to Sarento’s on the 30th floor of the Ilikai, Aaron’s 36 floors atop the
Ala Moana Hotel, and now the Plaza Club on the 20th and 21st floors of Pioneer Plaza on Fort Street Mall.
Luckily he has [...]
Executive Chef Guido Ulmann, Waialae Country Club
What I remember about Chef Guido Ulmann is that he led the Dancing Chefs at the Hilton Hawaiian Village. Occasionally, the Hilton kitchen staff got to strut their stuff at a lavish banquet in order to present a fancy dessert. While a lively recording of “Candy Man” blared in the speakers, Ulmann, with a candy [...]
April-May 2008 | Susan Sunderland | 0 comments | ContinuedEric Leterc: Executive Chef
Private clubs are home to some of Hawaii’s most experienced and talented chefs. They work in a cache of exclusiveness and elegance, reserved for an elite clique of members.
Executive Chef Eric Leterc, 45, of The Pacific Club found himself in this change of pace from public restaurants six years ago.
“It’s all about trust and the [...]





