Brian Schatz

06/18/2026 | Press release | Archived content

Schatz Celebrates Two Hawai‘i Chefs On National Competition Show Wins

Published: 06.18.2026

Schatz Celebrates Two Hawai'i Chefs On National Competition Show Wins

Hawai'i Island Chef Rhoda Magbitang Won Top Chef, Maui Chef Lee Anne Wong Won 24 in 24: Last Chef Standing

WASHINGTON - U.S. Senator Brian Schatz (D-Hawai'i) today celebrated a pair of wins for two Hawai'i chefs who recently competed and won major national cooking competition shows. Chef Rhoda Magbitang, a Hawai'i Island resident and executive chef at CanoeHouse, was crowned the winner of Bravo's Top Chef this month, while Lee Anne Wong, a Maui resident, owner of Koko Head Cafe on O'ahu, and a former Top Chef finalist, won Season 3 of the Food Network's 24 in 24: Last Chef Standing.

In remarks on the Senate floor celebrating their wins, Schatz said, "Both chefs displayed incredible skill and perseverance in their respective competitions and showcased what makes Hawai'i's food scene so special, with our unique blend of cultures and cuisines. We're lucky to have Chefs Magbitang and Wong and so many outstanding chefs who make Hawai'i, Hawai'i. Congratulations on your wins, you've made Hawai'i proud."

Video of the Senator's remarks is available here.

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Brian Schatz published this content on June 18, 2026, and is solely responsible for the information contained herein. Distributed via Public Technologies (PUBT), unedited and unaltered, on June 23, 2026 at 02:31 UTC. If you believe the information included in the content is inaccurate or outdated and requires editing or removal, please contact us at [email protected]