Chef Jackie Nakapaahu

BIG DREAMS COME IN SMALL PACKAGES…

For as long as I can remember, food has been my life-long friend, companion, and inspiration. When I’m in the kitchen, I’m doing exactly what I love and loving what I do. To know that I’m cooking for others enjoyment, bring out the best in me.

When I was nine years old, my father asked me if I wanted to learn how to cook (him being a cook himself while learning in the military). He taught me how to cook a box of Rice-A-Roni and a box of Kraft Macaroni and Cheese. From that point on, cooking was in my DNA.

My parents were amazing cooks and both taught me to not be wasteful and to eat everything on my plate because money didn’t grow on trees (the old school saying when I was growing up). They always told me that there were less fortunate children in other places of the world that were hungry and didn't have much to eat. I guess that explains why I love food the way I do and was never a picky eater.