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2025.05.22

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Halekulani Okinawa Welcomes Acclaimed Chef Ken Sakamoto

We announce the appointment of Ken Sakamoto as Consulting Chef of its innovative fine dining restaurant SHIROUX, effective November 1, 2025. Born and raised in Kyoto, Chef Sakamoto is the owner and head chef of cenci, a MICHELIN One-Star Italian restaurant celebrated for its inventive use of local ingredients.

Since opening in 2014, cenci continues to earn widespread recognition, including placement on Asia’s 50 Best Restaurants list from 2022-2024. The restaurant has also maintained a One-Star MICHELIN rating for four consecutive years (2022-2025). Celebrated for its creative use of local ingredients, cenci showcases Chef Sakamoto’s dedication to highlighting regional flavors through refined Italian cuisine.

Chef Sakamoto discovered his passion for cooking while studying abroad during university. He began his culinary training in Kyoto at the esteemed Trattoria Il Pappalardo and later served as head chef at Il Ghiottone for nine years before founding cenci.

Current Consulting Chef Hiroyasu Kawate expressed his full support for the appointment, calling Chef Sakamoto a “worthy successor” and confident that his leadership will elevate SHIROUX to new heights of culinary excellence.

“I am deeply honored to be named Consulting Chef of Halekulani Okinawa’s SHIROUX. I look forward to incorporating Okinawa’s rich local ingredients and cultural heritage to create innovative and captivating dishes,” shared Chef Sakamoto. “Both Kyoto and Okinawa have unique culinary traditions that celebrate local produce, and I am truly excited to collaborate with the SHIROUX culinary team to offer guests new and exceptional dining experiences.”


Innovative SHIROUX will continue to serve Chef Hiroyasu Kawate's innovative French cuisine through October 31, 2025.

We look forward to welcoming you to Halekulani Okinawa.