Hawaiian Airlines Welcomes Chef Dell Valdez as New Executive Chef
- Joe Breitfeller
- 32 minutes ago
- 3 min read
Alaska Airlines has announced the appointment of Chef Dell Valdez as the carrier’s new Executive Chef, introducing an elevated First Class dining experience.
On Tuesday (March 3, 2026), Alaska Air Group announced that Hawaiian Airlines has welcomed Chef Dell Valdez as their new Executive Chef. The appointment of Chef Valdez is one of several guest-focused commitments the airline is making, from upgraded cabin interiors to elevated inflight dining. Hawaiian is also launching a new First Class pre-order program in May, giving guests more control, convenience and the ability to select meals in advance. With pre-order, guests can choose from an expanded menu, including more options that fit their dietary needs, and ensuring they receive their preferred dish onboard. Chef Valdez will succeed Hawaiian’s first-ever executive chef duo, Wade and Michelle Ueoka of Honolulu’s MW Restaurant, who have led the airline’s culinary program since 2021.
In Tuesday’s announcement, Hawaiian Airlines’ Managing Director of Hawaiʻi Marketing, Alisa Onishi, said,
“Our goal is to elevate the inflight dining experience by prioritizing Hawaiian hospitality. Chef Dell has been part of our culinary ʻohana since 2021, and his heartfelt understanding of Hawaiʻi’s culinary heritage make him an ideal partner as we elevate choice, quality and authenticity for our guests.
“I’d also like to extend my sincerest gratitude to our former Executive Chefs Wade Ueoka and Michelle Karr-Ueoka for their many years of partnership and culinary leadership. Their creativity, talent and dedication helped shape a memorable dining experience for our guests, and we are deeply appreciative of their contributions to our inflight program.”
Also commenting on the expanded culinary collaboration, Chef Dell Valdez, said,
“It’s an honor to bring the flavors I grew up with to guests from around the world. Hawaiian Airlines is such an important symbol of home, and I wanted these menus to reflect that feeling of warmth and belonging. Every dish is inspired by the ingredients and traditions that make Hawaiʻi special, prepared with the same care and intention we put into our food at home.”
Hawaiʻi-born Chef Dell Valdez is the culinary leader behind Vein in Kakaʻako, as well as Dell’s Kitchen & Bakery and Mio PASTALOGY. Known for his ingredient-driven approach and deep respect for local food culture, Chef Valdez will bring his modern interpretation of Hawaiʻi’s diverse culinary identity to the airline’s First Class dining program while continuing to oversee the airline’s Featured Chef Series. Chef Valdez’s menus for Hawaiian’s international Business Class guests will debut on Wednesday, March 4, 2026, with domestic First Class flights to follow later this year.
Business Class guests traveling between Honolulu and Japan or Oceania will enjoy selections such as tender braised short rib with a scallion ginger risotto and seasonal vegetables, Asian braised beef paired with saffron rice pilaf, green apple maple cider salad, hearts of palm salad, roasted chicken with shiso buerre blanc or herb roasted pork loin with a soy kabocha squash puree. For the second service, guests can choose between thick-cut sweet bread French toast draped in berries and lilikoi syrup or a tamagoyaki omelet folded around roasted peppers and kale. Additional options include a kalbi-grilled chicken sandwich or a roasted miso eggplant parmesan sandwich.
Alaska Airlines, Hawaiian Airlines and Horizon Air are subsidiaries of Alaska Air Group, with McGee Air Services a subsidiary of Alaska Airlines. With hubs in Seattle, Honolulu, Portland, Anchorage, Los Angeles, San Diego and San Francisco, the carrier delivers exceptional care as they fly their guests to over 140 destinations across North America, Latin America, Asia and the Pacific. Alaska Airlines is a member of the oneworld Alliance with Hawaiian scheduled to join in 2026. With oneworld and our additional global partners, guests can earn and redeem miles for travel to over 1,000 worldwide destinations. Alaska Air Group is traded on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) under the symbol ‘ALK.’
Source: Alaska Air Group
