Congratulations to Chef Zach Laidlaw of Hua Momona Farms, who took home the coveted “Best of the Fest” award and Chef Justin Purpura of Montage Kapalua Bay’s Cane & Canoe Restaurant, winner of Fan Favorite at the 2025 Kapalua Wine & Food Festival’s Grand Tasting on July 12th.
Chef Zach prepared a vegetarian dish “Morning Harvest” with ingredients he grew on the farm. The judges were wowed by his creation, scoring him with a total of 92 points of a possible 100! The panel of judges included Celebrity Chef Maneet Chauhan; Vivek Deora/President of Morph Hospitality; Steve Poe, Master Sommelier from Big Canyon Country Club in Newport Beach, CA; and event sponsor Kelly Knox from Southwest Airlines. Runner up was Chef Gary Johnson from the University of Hawaii Maui College Culinary Arts Program for his octopus dish and 3rd place was awarded to Sansei Seafood Restaurant & Sushi Bar’s Chef, Frank Gomez for their signature Crab Ramen.
Justin’s Sweet Corn Agnolotti was a hit with the crowd and drew top score from festival guests who voted during the event. Runner up was Chef Mitch Atwell of Mala Tavern for his Beef Tataki.
Both Chefs received custom Kapalua Wine & Food Festival Chef jackets from Bragard. Chef Zach also won roundtrip airfare from Southwest Airlines and a feature in Modern Luxury Hawaii’s December issue.
The 45th annual Kapalua Wine & Food Festival will return June 25-28, 2026.
