Chef Kaloana — Tiny Spoon Chef

Born and raised in the vibrant Mission District of San Francisco, Chef Kaloana developed a deep appreciation for truly exceptional food at a young age. After graduating high school, she moved north to Napa Valley to earn her Associate’s degree in Culinary Arts from the Culinary Institute of America in St. Helena.

Her career has spanned both refined and approachable settings, from the sushi bar in Carmel-by-the-Sea where she mastered her knife skills and love for all things fish, to the prestigious 3-Michelin-star Manresa. Highlights of her time there include cooking for Mila Kunis, Ashton Kutcher, and Thomas Keller, and collaborating alongside France’s Chef Sophie Anne Pic.

While she’s skilled in many cuisines including Mexican, French, and Spanish, her specialty lies in Asian flavors, driven by her love for eating and creating dishes inspired by her heritage. As a proud San Franciscan and half Hawaiian, she often recreates her grandmother’s Hawaiian recipes, from Chicken Long Rice to Huli Huli Chicken. Her Hawaiian roots and time spent in Kauai (her “second home”) have deeply influenced her cooking, particularly her passion for seafood. She even hosted a highly successful Hawaiian plate lunch pop-up in Santa Cruz, proving that food made from the heart always resonates.

Outside the kitchen, she loves paddleboarding, grilling (often with football on in the background), exploring new restaurants, and discovering the New York food scene. A traveler at heart, she’s drawn to Spain and dreams of exploring more of Europe, Vietnam, and Thailand. She also enjoys movie nights at home with her cat, Kaimi.