The Royal Kona Resort on Hawaii’s Big Island has named Jason Ito as it executive chef, overseeing a staff of 25 employees and all of the resort’s daily culinary operations. He and his staff will also be involved with the Royal Kona Resort’s luau, annual Mai Tai Festival, and resort event menu planning and execution.
Ito has more than 20 years of culinary and restaurant management experience, and has worked in a variety of multi-ethnic food service environments. He is skilled in both contemporary and regional cuisine, including Pacific Rim, Asian, Classical French, German, Italian, and Continental.
His extensive background includes executive chef duties under civilian contract with military bases in Hawaii and Japan and in hotel and restaurant food service management and preparation at establishments in Hawaii. Ito began his culinary career as a breakfast cook at the Westin Maui in 1989. Since that time, he has worked in varying capacities at such venues as Halekulani, Hilton Hawaiian Village, Pacific Beach Hotel, Sheraton Moana Surfrider, Sergio’s Italian Restaurant, Waikiki Yacht Club, and Monterey Bay Canners.
He has attended the Western Culinary Institute’s “Le Cordon Bleu” Culinary Arts Program, became a Certified Sous Chef through the American Culinary Federation, and has won numerous awards for his menu, pastry, and chef creations.
For more information, visit www.royalkona.com.
