{"id":223470,"date":"2025-10-10T09:43:18","date_gmt":"2025-10-10T19:43:18","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.hawaii.edu\/news\/?p=223470"},"modified":"2025-10-10T09:43:18","modified_gmt":"2025-10-10T19:43:18","slug":"cia-alumni-walk-of-fame","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.hawaii.edu\/news\/2025\/10\/10\/cia-alumni-walk-of-fame\/","title":{"rendered":"Culinary Institute of the Pacific\u2019s Roy Yamaguchi honored in CIA<\/abbr> Alumni Walk of Fame"},"content":{"rendered":"Reading time: <\/span> 2<\/span> minutes<\/span><\/span>
\"chefs
Top chefs receive stars from the Culinary Institute of America.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Renowned chef, restaurateur and educator Roy Yamaguchi, executive director of the Culinary Institute of the Pacific (CIP<\/abbr>) at Kapiʻolani<\/span> Community College<\/a>, has been inducted into the Culinary Institute of America\u2019s (CIA<\/abbr>) Alumni Walk of Fame, joining a distinguished cadre of alumni whose careers have shaped the global culinary landscape.<\/p>\n

The Walk of Fame honors CIA<\/abbr> alumni who embody the college\u2019s “Food is Life®” philosophy and whose work expresses excellence, innovation and influence. As a 1976 CIA<\/abbr> graduate, Yamaguchi was recognized for his leadership in Â鶹´«Ã½<\/span>\u2019s culinary community, his pioneering approach to regional cuisine, and his steadfast commitment to culinary education.<\/p>\n

\"Roy
Chef Roy Yamaguchi receives a star from his alma mater, the Culinary Institute of America.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Born in Tokyo, Yamaguchi\u2019s Â鶹´«Ã½<\/span> roots trace to his grandfather, who ran a tavern and general store on Maui. He launched his first restaurant, 385 North, in Hollywood in 1984, and opened the first Roy\u2019s Restaurant in Honolulu in 1988, helping define Â鶹´«Ã½<\/span> Regional Cuisine.<\/p>\n

“It\u2019s an incredible honor to be recognized by the school that shaped so much of my life and career,” Yamaguchi said. “The CIA<\/abbr> instilled in me a deep respect for the craft and for the people who make food meaningful. To now share that legacy with the students and future chefs of Â鶹´«Ã½<\/span> is a full-circle moment I\u2019ll always treasure.”<\/p>\n

A James Beard Award recipient (Best Pacific Northwest Chef) and co-founder of the Â鶹´«Ã½<\/span> Food & Wine Festival, Yamaguchi continues to elevate culinary education at CIP<\/abbr> by blending sustainability, culture and innovation into hands-on training for Â鶹´«Ã½<\/span>\u2019s next generation of chefs.<\/p>\n

Other 2025 CIA<\/abbr> Alumni Walk of Fame inductees included Michelin-starred chef Grant Achatz, Anthony Bourdain (in memoriam) and Susan Feniger, a chef, restaurateur and TV personality.<\/p>\n

CIP<\/abbr> and CIA<\/abbr> are collaborating on a workforce professional development program for Â鶹´«Ã½<\/span>-based culinary professionals. Since launching in 2024, the program has graduated more than 150 culinary professionals. The program graduated 29 participants in September, who trained under CIA<\/abbr> instructors.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Chef Roy Yamaguchi joins CIA Alumni Walk of Fame, inspiring future culinary leaders.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":16,"featured_media":223473,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[29],"tags":[679,142,184,181,63],"class_list":["post-223470","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-people","tag-alumni-recognition","tag-award","tag-culinary","tag-culinary-institute-of-the-pacific","tag-kapiolani-community-college","entry","has-media"],"aioseo_notices":[],"aioseo_head":"\n\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t