Off the news: Isle chef uses local flavor to win show

Rhoda Magbitang, executive chef at Hawaii island’s CanoeHouse at Mauna Lani, emigrated to the U.S. from the Philippines at 17 — and drew from Filipino family tradition and haute-cuisine techniques to become Bravo TV’s latest “Top Chef,” presenting lugaw (Filipino rice porridge), torta (fried eggplant omelet) and kaldereta (pressure-cooked stew) for her finale-winning meal.

See the original article at: Honolulu Star-Advertiser