- Rituals of togetherness
A five-day culinary experience with Chef-Vintner Dustin Valette and Kona Village’s culinary team, celebrating Hawai`i Island’s agricultural traditions in partnership with The Hawaiian Vanilla Co.
A friend of Kona Village, Dustin Valette returns this winter following last year’s `Āina Reserves Weekend. From December 9-13, 2026, the resort welcomes the Michelin-recognized Chef-Vintner for five days centered around Hawaiʻi Island’s farmers and agricultural traditions, in partnership with Kona Village Executive Sous Chef Korae Nottveit and the family-run Hawaiian Vanilla Co. Guests will also experience Valette Wines, the small-production label made with some of California’s most celebrated winemakers.
The week features an off-property excursion to Hawaiian Vanilla Co. on the Hāmākua Coast, the first commercial vanilla farm in the country, where the Reddekopp family shares how vanilla is grown, cured, and enjoyed over a vanilla-inspired lunch. Back at Kona Village, Dustin cooks alongside the resort’s culinary team, building menus around the island’s freshest harvests, just as he does at home in Healdsburg. Two Valette-led dinners follow at Moana and the communal Island Roots.
From a sunset welcome featuring Valette Wines to a day on the Hāmākua Coast, one-night-only dining experiences, and sunrise canoe paddles alongside Dustin, the experience offers a deeper connection to the flavors and landscapes of Hawaiʻi Island.
`Ohana Cocktail Hour Featuring Valette Wines
Wednesday, December 9 | 5 pm
Join fellow guests for golden hour cocktails and pūpū on Moana Lawn overlooking Kahuwai Bay. The welcome gathering features pours from Valette Wines, Dustin’s small-production label, home to back-to-back 100-point Cabernets, paired with a canapé from Valette.
Complimentary. Exclusively for resort guests.
Hawaiian Vanilla Co. Farm Experience with Chef Dustin Valette
Thursday, December 10 | 11 am - 4 pm
Alongside Dustin and an intimate group of up to 30 guests, venture to The Hawaiian Vanilla Co. in Pa`auilo. Enjoy a vanilla-inspired lunch, a guided farm tour, and an educational experience while learning about the cultivation and culinary uses of Hawai`i-grown vanilla from the farmers themselves.
Additional cost. Exclusively for resort guests. Additional details available soon.
Valette Dinner Experience at Moana
Friday, December 11 | 5 - 9 pm
Dustin and Kona Village’s Executive Sous Chef Korae Nottveit present a special three-course dinner at Moana featuring Hawai`i-grown vanilla as one of the evening’s inspirations. Thoughtfully paired with seasonal ingredients sourced from across the island, the menu reflects Dustin’s ingredient-driven approach to cuisine. Moana’s signature dinner menu will also be available.
This experience is open to resort guests and the local community.
Island Roots with Valette
Saturday, December 12 | 6 pm
Dustin and Kona Village’s culinary team co-host the signature Island Roots communal dinner beneath the kiawe trees. Gather around the imu fire pit for an evening of live-fire cooking featuring specialty dishes from Valette Hospitality alongside Island Roots favorites, served family-style at a shared table.
Additional cost. Exclusively for resort guests.
Sunrise Canoe Paddle with Chef Dustin Valette
Sunday, December 13 | 7 am
Begin the day with a sunrise canoe paddle along the Ka`ūpūlehu coastline with Dustin and the resort’s Kilo Kai team. Surrounded by sweeping bay views, this intimate experience offers a unique opportunity to connect with Dustin while exploring the natural beauty of Hawai`i Island.
Complimentary. Exclusively for resort guests.
About Chef Dustin Valette
Dustin Valette is a fourth-generation Healdsburg native who cooks with deep respect for the land and the people who work it. His great-grandfather Honoré ran the town’s bakery over a century ago. After graduating from the Culinary Institute of America at Hyde Park, he crafted his own stagiaire program through San Francisco's most exciting kitchens, including Charles Nob Hill, La Folie, Gary Danko, and Aqua. He continued his training at Thomas Keller's one-Michelin-star Bouchon in Napa Valley and Hoku’s at the Mandarin Oriental in Honolulu, where his connection to the Islands began. He eventually returned to Michelin-starred Aqua as executive sous chef under Laurent Manrique.
After executive chef roles at VOX Restaurant in Henderson, Nevada and six years at Dry Creek Kitchen in Healdsburg, Chef Valette opened Valette restaurant in 2015 with his brother Aaron Garzini in their great-grandfather's former bakery building. In 2021, he opened The Matheson and Roof 106 with partner Craig Ramsey. Both restaurants earned Michelin recognition and Wine Spectator Awards of Excellence. As a Chef-Vintner, Dustin founded Valette Wines in collaboration with five acclaimed winemakers including Jesse Katz, Bob Cabral, David Ramey, Tom Rochioli, and Michael Browne. Both his 2021 and 2022 Cabernet Sauvignons earned perfect 100-point scores.
FAQs
Guests are encouraged to book accommodations directly through Kona Village for their preferred travel dates. As this experience is not structured as a traditional group retreat, a dedicated room block will not be available. Reservations for individual experiences, including the Hawaiian Vanilla Co. Farm Experience, the Moana Dinner with Chef Dustin Valette, Island Roots with Chef Dustin Valette, and the Sunrise Canoe Paddle with Chef Dustin Valette, are recommended and subject to availability.
Not all experiences are included with your stay. Some events are complimentary, while select offerings require an additional fee. Please check the individual event listing for participation details and pricing.
Yes. Space is limited for all experiences and advance reservations are recommended.
No. Resort guests may participate in individual events during the residency, subject to availability.
The Valette Dinner Experience at Moana on Friday, December 11 welcomes both resort guests and local residents. Reservations are strongly encouraged, as space is limited.
All other featured experiences are reserved exclusively for registered Kona Village resort guests, including the ʻOhana Cocktail Reception, Hawaiian Vanilla Co. Farm Experience, Island Roots with Valette, and Sunrise Canoe Paddle with Chef Dustin Valette.
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