Letter to Vendors

Tori Hiro

At the 26th Annual A Taste of Hilo event we’re veering from a dish like we’ve traditionally done in the past and featuring the tasty treat of dessert! Our featured chef is Hawaiʻi Community College’s very own Culinary Arts graduate and Culinary program Lab Manager and Lecturer, Tori Hiro. A Hilo girl with ʻohana roots in Laupāhoehoe and Panaʻewa. She has fond memories of being in the kitchen with her grandparents and parents growing up making classic Filipino dishes. While her younger years were spent observing and helping in the family kitchen, Tori’s early baking experiences come from being a Pastry Chef IV at the Four Seasons Hualalai right out of high school. Tori credits this as a humbling and gratifying experience and the highlight of her culinary career for the baking skills she gained ahead of the educational knowledge she learned from Hawaiʻi CC’s program. Moving into her second year of culinary school Tori had the opportunity of being part of the Zippy’s Napoleon’s Bakery grand opening team in Hilo. She oversaw the preparation and assembly of the homemade chiffon cakes, pianono rolls, lemon bars, and so much more. Today, Tori teaches first and second year culinary students Patisserie, Culinary Nutrition, and Fundamentals of Baking. Despite the busy schedule of the culinary program 9 months out of the year, she creates delicious treats from her Pāʻina Snack Mix, ʻOno Energy Bars and more that you can find at Lani’s Island Snack Shack, many local craft fairs, and alongside her Aunty Theo’s leistand. Tori loves the way food always brings the family together and how happy people get when the dishes are ʻono-licious! We’re thankful to have the opportunity to feature this young and talented Hilo grown chef at the 2024 A Taste of Hilo event.

Featured Event Dish
Fresh Liliko’i Tart – This dish will utilize Liliko’i grown and harvested by the Hawai’i CC Agriculture Program.

Ryan Brannigan

We’re excited to welcome in our Fuji event at the 2024 A Taste of Hilo with Chef Ryan Brannigan. With over 20 years of experience in the industry, Chef Ryan Brannigan has worked at various restaurants including Nobu, Cheesecake Factory, The Kahala Hotel, The Royal Hawaiian, Waikoloa Beach Marriott, Mauna Kea Beach Hotel, and currently at the Hilo Benioff Medical Center. Chef Ryan was the featured chef for the 2021 Hawaii Food and Wine Festival at the Mauna Kea Beach Hotel where he made a Kona Fruits de Mer which included Kanpachi, Abalone, Waimea Blue Beauties, and MK Starfruit, Kekala Farms baby vegetables, and Summer Truffles. Brannigan grew up on the Kohala Coast and attributes much of his cooking style from past experiences and incorporating things he enjoys eating. He loves cooking local fish, beef, local produce from Hilo Products and cooking over a Kiawe wood fire. “Maybe it’s the nostalgia of it, the childhood memories I have of building fires at the beach with my dad. It’s the process that I enjoyed most; cutting the wood, starting the fire, cooking and hanging out. The high heat from the Kiawe wood allows for a nice caramelization of proteins and can impart a nice smoke flavor. Best part about Kiawe wood, it’s free!” says Chef Ryan. He attributes the creation of his dishes around the relationships he’s built and the local products available. We’re excited to have Chef Ryan as our featured chef for our inaugural Fuji event and look forward to you all joining us.

On the menu:
Ninole Heart of Palm “Pappardelle” Avocado, Corn, Seaweed
Lobster, Ikura, Butter, Sweetbread
Kona Kanpachi, Oyster Mushroom, Inamona
Hawaii Beef Kiawe Smoked Brisket, Kimchi Potato
Waipio Kulolo

Fuji Event Details

The 26th annual A Taste of Hilo event brings in a new embedded featured section known as our Fuji event. The Fuji event will showcase another talented chef that will put together a special menu for you to enjoy. 30 minute early access into Sangha Hall exclusively to the Fuji section. Ticket holders will have access to this section throughout the entire event to come back to.

Fuji event includes our special featured chef, Ryan Brannigan, with a special menu of exclusive food and drinks. Designated parking spaces will be available on a FCFS basis.

We are excited to have a wonderful list of vendors attending this year’s Taste of Hilo. Come and try delicious offerings from these talented establishments!

  • Any Kine Wontons
  • Arc of Hilo + Pacific Mix Catering
  • Atebara Chips
  • The Cherry Co, Ltd.
  • Coca Cola Bottling Of Hawai‘i
  • Cupcakes, BOOM!
  • Ellie Girl Poke
  • Hawai‘i Community College Culinary Arts Program
  • Hawaiʻi County Economic Opportunities Council (HCEOC) – Food Service Division
  • Hilo Benioff Medical Center (Fuji)
  • Hilo Yacht Club
  • Islander Sake Brewery Hawaiʻi
  • Jaw Jackers Grindz LLC
  • Johnson Brothers of Hawaiʻi
  • Ka Lihikai at the Grand Naniloa Hotel
  • Kilauea Lodge & Restaurant
  • Maebo Noodle Factory Inc
  • Ma‘ona Lunch Counter
  • Mauna Loa Macadamia Nut Co.
  • Millie’s Deli and Snack Shop
  • Nector Café
  • The Odom Corporation
  • Oyatsu Hawai‘i
  • Pepsi Beverages Company
  • Poke Market
  • Republic National Distribution Company
  • Shaka Tea
  • Sodexo
  • Sweet Cane Café
  • Tetsumen
  • Volcano Winery
  • Waiakea Hawaiian Volcanic Water
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