Absence makes the heart grow fonder -- and after a three-year absence from The Ritz-Carlton, Kapalua, Chef Jojo Vasquez has returned to Maui and reclaimed the title of Chef de Cuisine at the AAA Four-Diamond, Banyan Tree restaurant. Chef Vasquez will continue to evolve the menu featuring seasonally-inspired and eclectic offers featuring locally-grown and organic ingredients.

Chef Jojo has spent a lifetime in the kitchen, beginning as his father Jun Vasquez’s ‘mini sous,’ in his catering company specializing in Filipino and Chinese cuisine that served the Chicago-area. This foundation and deep-rooted passion led him to study at the esteemed Culinary School of Kendall College in Evanston, Illinois, before embarking on his culinary career at Rhapsody, Chicago Symphony Center’s fine dining restaurant. In 1999, Chef Jojo collaborated with Guenter Seeger, one of the most critically-acclaimed chefs in the country, along with Chef Troy Thompson, to open Fusebox in Atlanta.

Primed for the bright lights of Los Angeles in 2002, Vasquez then headed west to The Ritz-Carlton, Marina del Rey, serving as an integral part of the grand opening team where he partnered in the creation and concept of Jer-ne restaurant. As the restaurant’s sous chef, he again worked seamlessly with his mentor, Executive Chef Troy Thompson. Together, the talented team created one of the hottest restaurants on the Westside, winning accolades and touted as “Best Fusion Restaurant” from Los Angeles Magazine. During his tenure in Marina del Rey, Chef Jojo enjoyed memorable moments with the restaurant at exciting events and prestigious venues including the “Best Hotel Chefs of America” series at New York’s venerable James Beard House.

The alluring shores of Maui called in 2007, when Vasquez was appointed to serve as Chef de Cuisine of The Ritz-Carlton, Kapalua’s Banyan Tree restaurant. The world-renowned resort was in the midst of an impressive $180 million transformation and the fine-dining venue was the perfect opportunity to showcase Chef Jojo’s honed talents. The hotel’s award-winning signature restaurant offers worldly influences with fresh Hawaiian ingredients – accentuated by dramatic views of the Pacific Ocean and the island of Moloka’I from an outdoor lounge with covered terrace.

Most recently, Vasquez lead the helm as Executive Chef of Morimoto Waikiki, where he collaborated in the restaurant and menu design. An inherent member of chef Morimoto’s esteemed staff, he joined Morimoto to battle contestants during the last two seasons of Iron Chef America, while traveling the world to assist at prestigious culinary events, including Aspen’s Food & Wine Classic.

When not indulging his epicurean talents, Chef Jojo revels in time with his wife, daughter, son and other ohana (family), all the recreation offered by the surf and sand of Maui; weekly story-time volunteering with neighborhood keikis, traveling to new destinations around the world, learning different languages, tending to the garden and reading books.