Piet Wigmans, Resort Executive Chef

Piet Wigmans, who helped open the CanoeHouse in 1985, returned to the Big Island July 7, 2003 to take the position of Executive Chef for Mauna Kea Resort. A 40-year veteran of the culinary world, Chef Wigmans began his career in the Netherlands. He has worked for prestigious hotels such as the Regent of Fiji, Halekulani, Mauna Lani Bay Hotel & Bungalows, Southampton Princess Hotel in Bermuda and Wyndham Key West Resorts in Florida. His years of experience in quality resort settings make Wigmans one of the most qualified and sought-after professionals in the field.

As Resort Executive Chef, Wigmans is responsible for the culinary provisions in ten restaurants at both Mauna Kea Beach Hotel and Hapuna Beach Prince Hotel, including the award-winning Coast Grille and fine dining room, The Batik.

"We are fortunate that Piet came back to Hawaii," says General Manager Hotel Operations, Charles Park. "He is the kind of person who can make a difference. He was instrumental in making Mauna Lani's restaurants successful and I am confident he can do the same thing for us."