Press

World Food Championships

July 2020

World Food Championships

July 2020

The World Food Championships is the ultimate Food Sport event in the world. Over 1,500 chefs, home cooks and pro teams will be battling Oct. 16-20 at Reunion Tower Lawn in Dallas, TX for the title of World Food Champion.

Chefs Roll

January 2019

Chefs Roll

January 2019

James Aptakin, CHEFS ROLL

Chef James Aptakin and TEAM HAWAII recently won the Seafood Title at the 5th Annual World Food Championships in Orange Beach, Alabama. Chef James competed in ten categories over the week-long competition against more than 400 three-chef teams from around the world, vying for over $300,000 in cash & prizes.

Clement Design USA

November 2019

Clement Design USA

November 2019

November 2019 Featured Chef: James Aptakin, Clement Design USA

If there had been a Junior Master Chef Competition when James Aptakin was ten-years-old, there is no question that he would have won the big prize. Baking shortbread and jam cookies at the age of eight and making complete dinners for family and friends by 5th grade, James was on his way to winning enough awards to last a lifetime, garnering his first Executive Chef position at 25 years of age.

American Shrimp Co.

October 2018

American Shrimp Co.

October 2018

James Aptakin Chosen as Finalist in Wild American Shrimp Chef of the Year Competition American Shrimp Processors’ Association

Chef James Aptakin is Chef/Owner of Layers of Flavor Catering Company based in Honolulu, Hawaii. He is an avid supporter of Wild American Shrimp and has continued his advocacy efforts since his recent addition to the Wild American Shrimp Chef Advocate team earlier this year.

Hawaii Restaurant Association

September 2018

Hawaii Restaurant Association

September 2018

Exciting food trends are developing in Hawai’i’s restaurant scene. The islands have always been a mixed plate of cultures and ethnic cuisines and that mix is more prevalent today than ever, with chefs bringing their backgrounds and techniques and fusing them with Hawaii Regional Cuisine.

CGTN

August 2018

CGTN

August 2018

Full Frame: Happiness in a Can, CGTN America

SPAM® — the canned meat product loved by millions of people around the world — has a surprising history. In Hawaii, where the blue cans have their own annual festival, it’s always been a pantry staple, but now it’s also popping up on fine-dining menus. This week, Full Frame digs into all things SPAM®!

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Made in Hawaii Festival

August 2018

Made in Hawaii Festival

August 2018

26th Annual Made In Hawaii Festival Made in Hawaii festival
Produced by the Hawaii Food Industry Association, The 25th Annual Made in Hawaii Festival is brought to you by First Hawaiian Bank.

Honolulu Magazine

June 2018

Honolulu Magazine

June 2018

Mangoes at the Moana Celebrates a Sweet 10 Years Honolulu magazine

Mango season continues with Mangoes at the Moana Surfrider, a stylish soirée featuring all things mango on Saturday, July 14, noon to 9 p.m. Enjoy a lineup of events centered around Hawai’i’s favorite summer fruit, kicking off at the Banyan Courtyard with the Mango Grove Market, a showcase of local arts and crafts, gifts, treats and more.

American Shrimp

April 2018

American Shrimp

April 2018

World Seafood Champion James Aptakin Joins Wild American Shrimp® American Shrimp Processors’ Association

Wild American Shrimp®, the American Shrimp Processors Association’s marketing program for wild-caught Gulf and South Atlantic Shrimp, has added former World Seafood Champion Chef James Aptakin as its latest Chef Advocate. Aptakin makes a great addition to the Wild American Shrimp team, bringing South American exotic flavors mixed with California flair and Pan-Asian-Hawaiian fusion to his dishes.

Travel Weekly

Jan 2018

Travel Weekly

Jan 2018

Wanderlust Festival Oahu expands programming in sixth year: Travel Weekly

For the sixth year in a row, Wanderlust will bring a robust program dedicated to the mindful, balanced life to Oahu’s North Shore. The Wanderlust Festival, March 1-4 at Turtle Bay Resort, will feature live music, sports clinics, outdoor activities, food experiences, speakers, a slate of U.S.