In the Season 1 finale of FEAST: Dish & Dialogue, celebrated chefs and industry leaders explore how the role of the “celebrity chef” has evolved—and what that influence means in today’s world.

Moderated by Kainoa Carlson, creator and host of Kitchen Scraps on Hawai'i News Now, the panel features Shota Nakajima (Chef & TV Personality), Reem Assil (Reem's California), Jonathan Waxman (Barbuto), and Shep Gordon (Alive Enterprises).

Together, they discuss how chefs have moved beyond the kitchen to become cultural storytellers, advocates, mentors, and media figures. Across the conversation, they reflect on the power of hospitality, the responsibility that comes with visibility, and how chefs can use their platforms to shape public understanding of food, community, and social change.

Recorded live at the FEAST Summit during the Hawaiʻi Food & Wine Festival, this episode explores how the modern chef’s influence is no longer defined only by what happens on the plate—but by how they lead, connect, and inspire far beyond it.

In this episode of FEAST: Dish & Dialogue, Michel Nischan, James Beard Award-winning chef and food equity advocate, shares his perspective on how chefs can use their influence to drive meaningful social change.

Drawing from his work through Wholesome Wave, Wholesome Crave, and OneKitchen, Nischan explores how chefs can move beyond the role of tastemakers to become trusted leaders in food policy, equity, and systems reform. From expanding access to healthy food and supporting local producers to reshaping how institutions think about culinary leadership, he offers a powerful call for chefs to see themselves not as the garnish on the plate—but as central partners in building a more just and resilient food system.

Recorded live at the FEAST Summit during the Hawaiʻi Food & Wine Festival, this episode explores how the future of food may depend on chefs embracing their role not only as those who feed—but as those who help lead.

In this episode of FEAST: Dish & Dialogue, hoteliers, educators, and workforce leaders explore how the hospitality industry can better prepare the next generation for long-term success.

Moderated by Young Yun, Executive Director of Ment’or, the panel features Wendy Hensel (University of Hawai'i), Kelly Sanders (Highgate), Craig Anderson (Mauna Kea Resort), and Mike Palmer (Hawai'i Restaurant Association).

Together, they discuss how recruitment, training, mentorship, and workplace culture all play a role in building stronger career pathways across culinary and hospitality. Across the conversation, they explore how employers and educators can better support talent through hands-on learning, leadership development, clear growth opportunities, and a deeper investment in people at every stage of the workforce journey.

Recorded live at the FEAST Summit during the Hawaiʻi Food & Wine Festival, this episode explores how shaping the future of hospitality may depend on seeing talent not simply as labor to fill roles—but as people to develop, retain, and help thrive.

In Part Two of this FEAST: Dish & Dialogue episode, digital creators and brand leaders continue the conversation on how social media is shaping the food industry—and how creators and businesses can work together more effectively.

Moderated by Kara Kozuma, Senior Associate Manager of Earned Media at King’s Hawaiian, the panel features Ben Hon (@stuffbeneats), Kiki Aranita (The Philadelphia Inquirer), Kale Afong (@hawaiisonly), and Philip Lemoine (@philip_lemoine).

Together, they discuss how creators navigate audience engagement, brand partnerships, AI tools, and the realities of building influence in an increasingly crowded digital space. Across the conversation, they explore how metrics, platform strategy, and authentic collaboration can turn social media from a visibility tool into a meaningful driver of connection, credibility, and business growth.

Recorded live at the FEAST Summit during the Hawaiʻi Food & Wine Festival, this episode explores how the future of food media may depend not just on creating content—but on building trust, community, and lasting value around it.

In Part One of this FEAST: Dish & Dialogue episode, digital creators and food media professionals explore how social media is reshaping the way we discover, experience, and engage with food.

Moderated by Kara Kozuma, Senior Associate Manager of Earned Media at King’s Hawaiian, the panel features Ben Hon (@stuffbeneats), Kiki Aranita (The Philadelphia Inquirer), Kale Afong (@hawaiisonly), and Philip Lemoine (@philip_lemoine).

Together, they discuss how authenticity, storytelling, and community-building drive success in today’s content landscape—from balancing sponsored partnerships and editorial integrity to leveraging niche content, trends, and collaborations. Across the conversation, they explore how social platforms are influencing restaurants, shaping consumer behavior, and creating new pathways from online audiences to real-world business.

Recorded live at the FEAST Summit during the Hawaiʻi Food & Wine Festival, this episode explores how the rise of food influencers is not just changing marketing—but redefining how the industry connects with people.

In this episode of FEAST: Dish & Dialogue, culinary leaders and cultural stewards explore what it takes to preserve heritage foodways through agriculture, education, and community.Moderated by Representative Kirstin Kahaloa, the panel features Keliko Hoe (Waiahole Poi Factory), Lehia Apana (Polipoli Farms), Kealoha Domingo (Nui Kealoha), and Stacy Sproat (Waipa Foundation).

Together, they discuss how ancestral knowledge, traditional farming practices, Indigenous ingredients, and community-based food education help sustain cultural food systems in Hawaiʻi. Across the conversation, they highlight the importance of accessibility, storytelling, and relationships to ʻāina in keeping heritage foods relevant for future generations.

Recorded live at the FEAST Summit during the Hawaiʻi Food & Wine Festival, this episode explores how preserving foodways is not only about honoring tradition, but about strengthening communities and shaping a more resilient local food future.

In this episode of FEAST: Dish & Dialogue, Sean Sherman, James Beard Award-winning founder of NATIFS and a leading voice in the Indigenous food movement, shares his perspective on reclaiming Indigenous food systems and restoring the knowledge, traditions, and relationships to land disrupted by colonization.

Drawing from his experience as a chef and educator, Sherman explores how rebuilding Native foodways—from ingredients and techniques to community-driven models—can redefine Indigenous cuisine today. He offers a powerful framework for using food as a tool for education, healing, and long-term sustainability.

Recorded live at the FEAST Summit during the Hawai‘i Food & Wine Festival, this episode highlights how revitalizing Indigenous foodways can strengthen communities, restore balance to our food systems, and shape a more connected and resilient future.