With World-Class Chefs and Sea-to-Table Cuisine, This Event Is Sure to Be One for the Books
While there’s plenty to do on Labor Day Weekend in Southern California, there’s nothing quite like hopping a plane to Hawai’i for an epicurean vacation. For the second year in a row, the Mauna Lani Culinary Classic is taking over the luxurious Mauna Lani resort on the Island of Hawai’i. Taking place from August 29 to Sept. 1, this festival invites celebrity chefs and master mixologists to celebrate the agricultural heritage of the islands with master classes, beachside tastings, late-night parties and more. Inspired by the legacy of CanoeHouse, Mauna Lani’s signature restaurant, the four-day event stands to become a classic of its own. Here are five reasons why we’re headed to the Mauna Lani Culinary Classic this Labor Day Weekend!
1 | An Unmatched Line-up in Paradise
You don’t have to be a foodie to recognize the chefs attending this year’s Mauna Lani Culinary Classic. The lineup features culinary pioneers who all share a common achievement—one or more James Beard Awards. This is more than just a dinner; it’s a chance to share food and cocktails with some of the industry’s best.
Expect big names like Nancy Silverton, Mozza Restaurant Group owner and best-selling author. Stephanie Izard, executive chef of Girl & the Goat, will also be there. Rounding out the star power is Andrew Zimmern, TV personality, chef, writer, and social justice advocate. All in all, there are 16 renowned culinary masters who will host 11 gourmet events over the four-day festival. This is a rare opportunity to share space with culinary stars who know how to craft the perfect oceanside bites. It all starts with a lu’au on the first night and proceeds, course by course and under the stars, to highlight the bounty of Hawai’i throughout the weekend.
2 | All for a Good Cause: Māla`ai
At this year’s Mauna Lani Culinary Classic, you’ll find yourself eating, drinking and ideating in intimate settings on the Hawai’i resort’s grounds while also honoring local traditions. The weekend is presented in partnership with Māla`ai, the culinary garden school of Waimea Middle School. This garden is central to the community, offering after-school programs and summer internships that teach students and alumni life lessons through garden stewardship. On Thursday, August 29, chefs will be welcomed to Mauna Lani with a tour of the Māla`ai garden in preparation for the kick-off lu’au to follow that night. Visiting chefs will join forces with local chefs to present the Pa’ina Mauna Lani Lu’au, a kick-off event that will also feature a silent auction to benefit the school garden. Last year’s inaugural festival raised over $20,000 for Māla`ai!
3 | Spotlighting Hawai’i’s Culinary Scene
Mauna Lani has long been a culinary destination on the Island of Hawai’i thanks to the influence of CanoeHouse. Once a legendary canoe storage site, this beach welcomed icons like Duke Kahanamoku and Babe Ruth seeking rest and relaxation. In 1989, it transformed into a restaurant, opening its doors to a new kind of gathering. Over the years, CanoeHouse became more than just a dining spot. It evolved into a community hub, where people came together to celebrate Hawai‘i—not just for its stunning scenery but for its rich agricultural abundance.
This year’s festival is also brought in partnership with Blue Ribbon Restaurants, a powerhouse dining group from the Bromberg Bros. On August 29, the Blue Ribbon Sushi team will lead guests through a 17-course tasting menu highlighting Hawai‘i’s coastal bounty. This special omakase experience will be staged for two intimate seatings in the Francis H. I’i Brown Suite on the grounds of this Hawai’i resort —get tickets here!
6/17
4 | From Sea to Land, Hawai’i-Style
While the Mauna Lani Culinary Classic is no doubt a destination for culinary indulgence, the ethos behind the event stems from a place of honor. After all, Mauna Lani means “mountain reaching heaven,” and the resort itself embodies a sense of luxurious spirituality—one you might expect from an Auberge Resorts Collection property. The food, too, pays homage to its surroundings—with local farms and fisheries playing an integral role. A sponsor of the festival, Blue Ocean Mariculture, stands as the only open-ocean fish farm in the U.S. and raises the outstanding Hawaiian kanpachi that will be featured by chefs in dishes throughout the weekend. With a focus on locally sourced, farm-to-table ingredients and with its unrivaled setting among a vibrant reef, the Mauna Lani Culinary Classic is already solidifying itself as an annual event not to be missed.
5 | A Beautiful Location + The Beach Club
Part of the exclusive Auberge Resorts Collection, this Big Island retreat sits along the legendary Kohala Coast. It rests within the spiritual center of five great mountains, creating a setting as meaningful as it is breathtaking. Here, every experience feels intentional. Cultural workshops, lei-making, and live twilight music bring local traditions to life. Meanwhile, daytime adventures like canoeing and snorkeling add excitement to the mix. Mauna Lani isn’t just about destination dining—it’s about crafting unforgettable moments. Summer bliss is a promise at The Beach Club. A vast lawn stretches toward turquoise waters, always welcoming surfers and sun-seekers alike.
Wade into a nearby cove to witness tropical marine life. Or, peer out into the ocean to peek at a sea turtle or spot a whale on the surface. A day here will assuredly prepare you for the island feast that awaits at this year’s Mauna Lani Culinary Classic.
Mauna Lani
681400 Mauna Lani Dr
Waimea, HI 96743
855.201.3179
