What Local Chefs Are Wishing For This Christmas 2017

Let’s hope they’ve been good this year!

December 25, 2017

Catherine Toth Fox,

Chef Mark “Gooch” Noguchi wants what many chefs do: more time to spend with family.

Photo: Courtesy of Noguchi Family

Here’s what 13 chefs and one master sommelier are hoping for today.

(In alphabetical order)

Henry “Hank” Adaniya, chef/owner, Hank’s Haute Dogs

“I didn’t think I got to ask what I want for Christmas anymore! What a treat! Take me to eat at La Maison Toisgros outside of Lyon, France. Santa can come. I think he likes to eat.”

Shaymus Alwin, chef de cuisine, Royal Hawaiian Hotel

“I want an Official Red Ryder, carbine action, 200-shot range model air rifle.” (He’s quoting A Christmas Story.)

Chuck Furuya, master sommelier, Vino Italian Tapas & Wine Bar

“I want Christmas off, but that’s not happening.” (His wife, though, wants him to want an iPad.)

Elmer Guzman, chef/owner, Poke Stop, Chef Guzman’s Island Cuisine, Fish Hook Café

“One Bitcoin.”

Colin Hazama, executive chef, Royal Hawaiian Hotel

“A brand new speargun, preferably a KAP custom-made airbrushed speargun; a nice bottle of Hibiki 12-year-aged whiskey or a Nikka 21-year-aged whiskey; and a Damascus Steel Nenox 10-inch knife.”

Andrew Le, executive chef/owner, The Pig & The Lady and Piggy Smalls

“After working really hard to make the holidays special for our diners, the best thing we want for our staff is to spend time with their families and loved ones, to enjoy this time of year as well. Time is the greatest gift of all!”

Keaka Lee, chef de cuisine, The Pig & The Lady

“This holiday season is a time spent with family and friends. For most of us in the industry, it’s the busiest time, catering to parties and gatherings. The best gift I can think of is having time off to enjoy this special time of year.”

Kevin Lee, executive chef/owner, Pai Honolulu

“A Mizuno Tanrenjo 14 Honyaki Blue Steel #1 Gyutou (a chef’s knife) or day off with the lady.”

Robynne Mai‘i, chef/co-owner, Fête

“Chubo knife, Kiehl’s hand lotion, Malin+Goetz deodorant, Bombas socks and Stick With Me Sweets chocolates from New York City.”

Mark “Gooch” Noguchi, chef/co-owner, Lunchbox and Pili Group

“Three days off with my wife and no electronics.”

Carolyn Portuondo, executive pastry chef, Royal Hawaiian Hotel

“A long vacation with the family.”

Alan Wong, chef/owner, Alan Wong’s Honolulu and Alan Wong’s Shanghai

“There’s one simple thing I want for the holidays—a good tomato for our whole tomato salad. Due to product availability, we haven’t been able to have that dish on the menu regularly and our guests miss it. My wish is to be able to have a constant supply again, so we can return the dish to our regular menu.”

Lee Anne Wong, chef/partner, Koko Head Café

“I have everything I need this Christmas! I couldn’t be happier, with Rye and the love of my life, family, friends and a fantastic team at Koko Head Café. But if we’re being brutally honest, I’m wishing for some social justice and our great nation to get back to where we were before this past election.”

Roy Yamaguchi, chef/owner, Roy’s Restaurants, Eating House 1849 and Roy’s Beach House

“I want my kids (Nicole and Andrew, Roy and Courtney, Hoku, Remy, Stone and Mika-chan), my granddaughter (Aubrey) and my wife to be happy and healthy!”