Grace Ryan, born in Connecticut, told her mom at age four that she wanted to be a chef, and she has been working toward that dream ever since. Grace began her journey in the service industry at 16, taking on roles from front-of-house to back-of-house. At 17, she discovered Fitzgerald’s Bakery, where she worked her way up from cashier to cake decorator. Grace enjoyed the creative outlet of experimenting with different flavor combinations and loved the occasional perk of sneaking a cannoli for a snack.
Three years later, Grace felt the urge to broaden her horizons and decided to move to Hawai’i on a whim. She instantly fell in love with the culture and community and sought ways to give back. Grace became a line cook at The Temple Bar Hilo, working under the guidance and mentorship of Chef Jess. This experience not only deepened Grace’s passion for food but also reignited her culinary dreams. Chef Jess’s emphasis on fresh, local ingredients transformed Grace’s approach to cooking and provided her with a new direction in life.
Now, Grace aspires to create nourishing meals infused with love while introducing people to new culinary experiences. She is grateful for the support of Jess, Ian, Lei, and Zach, who have all guided her on this journey of self-discovery and shared many good times along the way. Excited for what lies ahead, Grace can’t wait to bring delicious, heartwarming food to the table!