OCC DINING
This February, the Club welcomed Brandon Lee as Executive Chef. Previously, he had been the Executive Sous Chef, handling the weekly and seasonal specials, among other things. Now, he works behind the scenes with various Club executives, committees and back-of- house staff to execute an impressive lineup of dining options, including exclusive menus for a multitude of special events.
egarding a recent wine dinner featuring Rombauer wines, “Chef Brandon pushed the envelope. He created a refreshing experience, a rich meal with exceptional wines,” said Rede Eder, the Club’s Food & Beverage Director. For this year’s lū‘au, Chef and his team went beyond the traditional Hawaiian food (though that was included, of course) and dreamt up live action food stations that
The Mauka to Makai Roll, featuring torched beef, ebi tempura, avocado, garlic aioli, ponzu sauce and crispy onions.
celebrated Hawai‘i’s rich cultural heritage—Ko- rean, Japanese, Filipino and more—so there was truly something for everyone. With Chef Brandon’s background and general demeanor, it comes as no surprise that the Club’s offerings have been well-received, featuring a careful mix of creativity and comfort, playfulness and elevation. His culinary career started right after high school, when he attended Kapi‘olani Commu- nity College, earning his Associates Degree in Culinary Arts. His first paying food gig was at Zippy's when he was he was still at Hawai‘i Bap- tist Academy. Eventually, he took on leadership roles at buzzy eateries like The Pig and the Lady,
as well as the beloved but now-shuttered Piggy Smalls and café Artizen by MW, the popular café on the ground floor of the Hawai‘i State Art Museum. After conceptualizing menus, execut- ing dishes and mentoring in the Club’s kitchen, somehow Chef Brandon finds time to work on another foodie venture that allows him to get creative. He and a business partner flex their flavor profiles at Double Fat Ice Cream, an ador- able shop serving up locally spun small batch ice cream treats at ‘Alohilani Resort.
Brandon Lee has been all smiles since taking helm as Executive Chef.
MAY / JUNE 2023 | AMA 21
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