Chef Chris Kajioka was born and raised in Honolulu, Hawaii. He began his classical training at the prestigious Culinary Institute of American in Hyde Park, New York. His culinary journey continued at several prominent restaurants across the country including Ron Siegel’s Dining Room at the Ritz Carlton, Mourad Lahou’s Aziza in San Francisco and Thomas Keller’s iconic Per se in New York. In 2012, Kajioka returned to Hawaii and became the founding Executive Chef of Vintage Cave where he garnered his first of several James Beard nominations. After leaving Vintage Cave, Kajioka co-founded Senia in 2016 and worked there until 2020. He is now Chef/Partner of Miro Kaimuki, Papa Kurt’s and Waicoco Maui.
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