More About Chef Coco 

I believe that food heals people and can be a powerful tool in bringing them together. These are two prominent reasons why I love what I do! I started cooking when I was very young and years later, after leaving my grueling profession in corporate America, I reconnected with my culinary passions on the Big Island of Hawai'i, where I was living and working on a yoga retreat center. The time there in the jungles of East Hawai'i allowed me to rejuvenate my mind, body and soul, and find deep healing through eating organic and local foods grown on the 120 acre property. I was able to connect with food, the land, and my body again after losing touch with them long ago to the craziness of life and a demanding schedule. While serving as an Executive Chef at the retreat center, I was able to work closely with our in-house Permaculture team and surrounding local farmers. I had access to the most incredible, fresh seasonal fruits, vegetables, seafood, and meat, which we passionately highlighted in every dish. My time at the retreat center taught me the importance of incorporating love and aloha in the foods we cook. I got to see first hand how these meals brought everyone together to connect and talk story, which is something to cherish in this day and age.

Following the 2018 Kilauea volcanic eruption that went off just miles from where I lived and worked, I moved to Oahu. I embarked on a journey of exploring this new island and cooking with the same values I learned on the Big Island— local, farm-to-table, fresh, & nourishing.  My cooking style today emphasizes bright, local flavors with vivid colors, incorporating gorgeous flowers and greenery into everything from salads, entrees, desserts and beyond. I strive to create crowd pleasing dishes that are creative, well balanced, and beautifully presented. These days, you can find me cooking on island for small intimate private dinners, weekly meal preps, or catering for large parties such as weddings, retreats, and other events. While I love highlighting the abundant fish and meats local to Hawai'i, I also cook to a variety of different styles including vegetarian, gluten-free, paleo/whole 30, and keto diets.