Chef Captain Craig Hawley

Chef At Home In Honolulu

"Imagine a kitchen where every meal tells a story and every recipe opens a door to adventure. As the Adventure Chef who brings global flavors to life, I've spent over three decades turning ordinary dining experiences into extraordinary memories.

My journey through the hospitality industry has been as rich and layered as a perfectly crafted dish. From private chef experiences to television appearances, I've had the joy of wearing many hats – each one adding new depths to my understanding of what makes dining truly special. Along the way, I've partnered with incredible individuals, crafting experiences that blend health, education, and pure culinary delight.

What drives me? It's the sparkle in a child's eyes when they master their first recipe, the shared laughter around a dinner table, and the magical moments when food becomes the bridge between cultures. My approach combines professional expertise with playful creativity, ensuring that every culinary adventure is both exciting and enriching.

Whether I'm designing educational cooking programs, hosting intimate dining experiences, or sharing global flavors, my commitment remains the same: to create moments that nourish both body and spirit. My passion for diverse cuisines and cultural exploration means each experience is thoughtfully crafted to inspire, educate, and delight.

Ready to embark on a flavorful adventure that will have everyone talking for years to come? Let's create something wonderful together!"

For me, cooking is...

Bringing a dash of problem-solving prowess to the kitchen, I'm here to whip up delicious solutions to any dietary dilemma that comes our way.

I learned to cook at...

Studied classes at the CIA in 1997 I am a active private chef in many exclusive homes from NYC, MA, CT, CO, UT, NV, FL, St Thomas and based in Hawaii

A cooking secret...

Always having a solution with what I have in front of me. and logistically getting anywhere in the world...

My menus

The Real Surprise

STARTER

Choose 1 dish

Fresh Hawaiian Seafood Tower Local lobster, Kona crab, fresh poke, island prawns Served with house-made cocktail sauce and mignonette

Premium Charcuterie & Cheese Board Imported prosciutto, local cured meats Artisanal cheeses, local honey, house-made preserves Grilled bread and seasonal fruits

FIRST COURSE

Choose 1 dish

Lobster Bisque Kona lobster, cognac cream, fresh herbs

Local Green Salad Baby lettuce, avocado, hearts of palm, lilikoi vinaigrette

MAIN COURSE

Choose 1 dish

Prime Aged Ribeye (14 oz) 35-day dry-aged, grilled to perfection

Lamb lollipops, Truffle Mashed Potatoes, Grilled Local Asparagus

**Fish** Indulge in a gourmet delight: tender miso-marinated sablefish

**Paella** Embark on a culinary journey to the heart of Spain

DESSERT

Choose 1 dish

Classic Crème Brûlée Madagascar vanilla bean, fresh berries

French Press Kona Coffee

. **Flourless Chocolate Cake **

**Tiramisu** Delight in the luscious layers of tiramisu

Tarte Tatin with Vanilla Bean Ice Cream

Island Ocean Feeding Frenzy

STARTER

Choose 1 dish

Premium Seafood Tower (Oysters, Lobster, Crab)

Caviar Service with Traditional Garnishes

FIRST COURSE

All inclusive

Premium Maritime Cheese Selection

House-Made Preserves and Local Honey

MAIN COURSE

All inclusive

Whole Salt-Crusted Hawaiian Fish, Grilled Local Asparagus

Truffle Seafood Risotto

Lobster Duo Kona lobster tail (grilled) Claw meat (thermidor) Drawn butter Cognac sauce Seasonal vegetables

DESSERT

All inclusive

Deconstructed Tropical Pavlova

. **Flourless Chocolate Cake **

"Captain's Private Reserve" Beverage

"The Lost Map" Dessert (revealed tableside)

"The Great Global Table: Hawaiian Legacy Menu"

STARTER

Choose 1 dish

Premium Poke Flight (Ahi, Salmon, Hamachi)

Fresh Island Abalone "when in season" from Big Island

Local Prawns in Hawaiian Chili Pepper Water

FIRST COURSE

All inclusive

Premium Local Greens with Maui Onion Dressing

Grilled Local Baby Vegetables

MAIN COURSE

Choose 1 dish

Whole Local Fish Preparation (Onaga or Opakapaka), Truffle Okinawan Sweet Potato Purée, Truffle Okinawan Sweet Potato Purée

Kona Lobster Duo Fresh Kona lobster Garlic butter preparation Thermidor style Local herbs Cognac sauce

Hawaiian Regional Seafood Tower Fresh Kona abalone Local spiny lobster Island fish sashimi Opihi (when available) Fresh limu

DESSERT

Choose 1 dish

Lilikoi Soufflé

Local Honey and Macadamia Nut Tart

Local Beach Party

STARTER

Choose 1 dish

Seafood Laulau

Local Opihi (when in season)

Fresh Island Ceviche

FIRST COURSE

Choose 1 dish

Local Hearts of Palm Salad

Lilikoi Glazed Local Vegetables

MAIN COURSE

Choose 1 dish

Misoyaki Butterfish, Purple Sweet Potato Mash

Island Style Prime Rib Local coffee rub Li hing glaze Maui onion sauce Local root vegetables Hawaiian salt crust

Opakapaka Fresh pink snapper Ginger-scallion sauce Local mushrooms Hawaiian sea salt Steamed in ti leaves

DESSERT

Choose 1 dish

Malasada with Local Fruit Compote

Macadamia Nut Ice Cream

Local Tea Service

The Great Global Indulge

STARTER

Choose 1 dish

"Around the World" Blind Tasting Flight

"Ocean's Mystery" (seafood surprise)

FIRST COURSE

All inclusive

"Latitude & Longitude" (dual surprise tastings)

"Compass Rose" Palate Refresher

MAIN COURSE

Choose 1 dish

"Land & Sea Duet" (surf & turf with a twist)

"Global Grains" (exotic carb preparation)

"Garden of Wonders" (unexpected vegetable presentations)

DESSERT

Choose 1 dish

"Sweet Coordinates" (interactive dessert experience)

"Captain's Private Reserve" Beverage

The Total Bespoke

STARTER

Choose 1 dish

Chef's Blind Tasting Adventure (3 mystery bites)

"Hidden Treasure" Soup served in a smoke-filled cloche

FIRST COURSE

All inclusive

"Mystery Island" Sorbet

Unexpected Palette Cleanser

MAIN COURSE

Choose 1 dish

"Captain's Secret Catch"

"Navigator's Garden" (seasonal surprise vegetables)

"Stowaway's Starch" (creative carb preparation)

DESSERT

Choose 1 dish

"The Lost Map" Dessert (revealed tableside)

"Adventure's End" Tea Service

Fresh Local and Fun

STARTER

Choose 1 dish

Poke Bowl with Local Ahi

Local Green Papaya Salad with Li Hing Mui

FIRST COURSE

Choose 1 dish

Garlic Shrimp with crusty bread

Local Mac Salad

Fresh Oahu-Grown Vegetables

MAIN COURSE

Choose 1 dish

Kalua Pork with Cabbage, Local Poi

Lomi Lomi Salmon, Steamed White Rice

Laulau Local fish or pork Taro leaves Ti leaf wrapped Steam cooked Traditional preparation Served with rice and poi

DESSERT

Choose 1 dish

Dulce de leche cake

**Panna Cotta with Berry Compote**

Kona Coffee Service

Malasada with Local Fruit Compote

The Italian Sampler

STARTER

Choose 1 dish

Bruschetta al Pomodoro

Classic Caesar Salad with House-Made Croutons

FIRST COURSE

Choose 1 dish

Fresh Mozzarella with Aged Balsamic

Citrus Marinated Olives with local greens and dipping bread

MAIN COURSE

All inclusive

Handmade Fettuccine Alfredo, with broccoli rob

Classic Chicken Piccata, Seasonal Roasted Vegetables

Chicken Saltimbocca Free-range chicken Prosciutto di Parma Fresh sage Marsala wine sauce Served with roasted potatoes

DESSERT

All inclusive

Lemon Tiramisu

Espresso

Tres Leches Cake

Cannoli with Pistachio and Chocolate

The Real Surprise

STARTER

Choose 1 dish

Fresh Hawaiian Seafood Tower Local lobster, Kona crab, fresh poke, island prawns Served with house-made cocktail sauce and mignonette

Premium Charcuterie & Cheese Board Imported prosciutto, local cured meats Artisanal cheeses, local honey, house-made preserves Grilled bread and seasonal fruits

FIRST COURSE

Choose 1 dish

Lobster Bisque Kona lobster, cognac cream, fresh herbs

Local Green Salad Baby lettuce, avocado, hearts of palm, lilikoi vinaigrette

MAIN COURSE

Choose 1 dish

Prime Aged Ribeye (14 oz) 35-day dry-aged, grilled to perfection

Lamb lollipops, Truffle Mashed Potatoes, Grilled Local Asparagus

**Fish** Indulge in a gourmet delight: tender miso-marinated sablefish

**Paella** Embark on a culinary journey to the heart of Spain

DESSERT

Choose 1 dish

Classic Crème Brûlée Madagascar vanilla bean, fresh berries

French Press Kona Coffee

. **Flourless Chocolate Cake **

**Tiramisu** Delight in the luscious layers of tiramisu

Tarte Tatin with Vanilla Bean Ice Cream

Island Ocean Feeding Frenzy

STARTER

Choose 1 dish

Premium Seafood Tower (Oysters, Lobster, Crab)

Caviar Service with Traditional Garnishes

FIRST COURSE

All inclusive

Premium Maritime Cheese Selection

House-Made Preserves and Local Honey

MAIN COURSE

All inclusive

Whole Salt-Crusted Hawaiian Fish, Grilled Local Asparagus

Truffle Seafood Risotto

Lobster Duo Kona lobster tail (grilled) Claw meat (thermidor) Drawn butter Cognac sauce Seasonal vegetables

DESSERT

All inclusive

Deconstructed Tropical Pavlova

. **Flourless Chocolate Cake **

"Captain's Private Reserve" Beverage

"The Lost Map" Dessert (revealed tableside)

"The Great Global Table: Hawaiian Legacy Menu"

STARTER

Choose 1 dish

Premium Poke Flight (Ahi, Salmon, Hamachi)

Fresh Island Abalone "when in season" from Big Island

Local Prawns in Hawaiian Chili Pepper Water

FIRST COURSE

All inclusive

Premium Local Greens with Maui Onion Dressing

Grilled Local Baby Vegetables

MAIN COURSE

Choose 1 dish

Whole Local Fish Preparation (Onaga or Opakapaka), Truffle Okinawan Sweet Potato Purée, Truffle Okinawan Sweet Potato Purée

Kona Lobster Duo Fresh Kona lobster Garlic butter preparation Thermidor style Local herbs Cognac sauce

Hawaiian Regional Seafood Tower Fresh Kona abalone Local spiny lobster Island fish sashimi Opihi (when available) Fresh limu

DESSERT

Choose 1 dish

Lilikoi Soufflé

Local Honey and Macadamia Nut Tart

Local Beach Party

STARTER

Choose 1 dish

Seafood Laulau

Local Opihi (when in season)

Fresh Island Ceviche

FIRST COURSE

Choose 1 dish

Local Hearts of Palm Salad

Lilikoi Glazed Local Vegetables

MAIN COURSE

Choose 1 dish

Misoyaki Butterfish, Purple Sweet Potato Mash

Island Style Prime Rib Local coffee rub Li hing glaze Maui onion sauce Local root vegetables Hawaiian salt crust

Opakapaka Fresh pink snapper Ginger-scallion sauce Local mushrooms Hawaiian sea salt Steamed in ti leaves

DESSERT

Choose 1 dish

Malasada with Local Fruit Compote

Macadamia Nut Ice Cream

Local Tea Service

Show me more

Chef Captain Craig's reviews

4.96

•

10 services

Exceptional! Fun, great communication, excellent menu and food. Well executed! Will definitely recommend and will be working with him again!

Not only was the menu and food excellent, the Captain made the dinner fun with his stories and interesting background, He was great.

We absolutely loved our evening. Our meal was delicious and we enjoyed the opportunity to learn about each dish as it was prepared and served. Our chef was so personable and we enjoyed hearing about his background, travels, etc. This evening was a highlight of our family vacation-we were able to enjoy a relaxing, wonderful meal together, at our pace, without the time/noise constraints of restaurant dining. We would definitely book an evening like this in the future!

Cap cooked a fantastic meal for our group of 7. He worked around allergies and everything was just perfect! The steak and prawns were my fave. A total gentleman and lovely island host with recommendations galore! Thank you again Captain Craig!

Exceptional! Fun, great communication, excellent menu and food. Well executed! Will definitely recommend and will be working with him again!

Not only was the menu and food excellent, the Captain made the dinner fun with his stories and interesting background, He was great.