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On the heels of her Top Chef victory, Chef Rhoda Magbitang heads home to Hawaii’s Big Island — this time, however, she’s accompanied by a few special guests.
Magbitang, the first female Executive Chef at Mauna Lani‘s highly acclaimed Canoehouse, returns to the Big Island’s oceanfront resort for her latest endeavor: a culinary residency alongside fellow season 23 chefs Sieger Bayer, Oscar Diaz and Brittany Cochran. The first-of-its-kind collaboration kicks off a series of intimate dinners, hosted by Chef Rhoda herself, at select Auberge properties between June 2026 and early 2027.
Last week, The Hollywood Reporter got a front row seat to the four chefs’ multi-course masterpiece at Auberge’s Big Island property before it continues throughout the summer season. The intentionally curated menu spotlights each chef’s distinct perspective in tandem with the crème de la crème of local ingredients.
As for its setting, the limited-time sunset dinner takes over Surf Shack, the resort’s beloved beachside restaurant inspired by Hawaii’s retro surf dens. The evening’s breezy backdrop, laid-back ambience and inviting Aloha Spirit juxtapose the sophisticated flavors created by four Chefs at the Top of their game.
