HONOLULU (HawaiiNewsNow) – Hawaiian Airlines has a new executive chef.
On Tuesday, the airline announced Dell Valdez, the chef behind Vein at Kakaako, Dell’s Kitchen and Bakery, and Mio Pastalogy, to succeed husband-and-wife duo Wade and Michelle Ueoka of MW Restaurant, who led the program since 2021.
Born and raised in Hawaii, Valdez has been with the airline’s culinary team since 2021.
His menus for Hawaiian’s international business class guests — which include braised short rib with a scallion ginger risotto and roasted chicken with shiso buerre blanc — debuted Wednesday with domestic first class flights to follow later this year.
Valdez will also continue to oversee the airline’s featured chef series, the airline said.
“It’s an honor to bring the flavors I grew up with to guests from around the world,” Valdez said. “Hawaiian Airlines is such an important symbol of home, and I wanted these menus to reflect that feeling of warmth and belonging. Every dish is inspired by the ingredients and traditions that make Hawaii special, prepared with the same care and intention we put into our food at home.”
Starting in May, Hawaiian will begin a new first-class pre‑order meal program, with the number of available meal options gradually increasing throughout the year.
The airline said pre-ordering will be available through the Hawaiian Airlines mobile app or online from two weeks to 20 hours before a flight.
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Dining and Cooking