The view of Mount Etna from Taormina, Italy on the east coast of Sicily has a striking resemblance to the view of Mauna Kea from Waimea, so Chef Gino Cipriano felt right at home when he moved to the Big Island. “When we first visited for my job interview, we drove around and it was very surprising. It looked like my town, my island, almost the same shape,” he said. “There is also a volcano at Mount Etna.”

Born and raised in Taormina, Chef Cipriano joined Hilton Waikoloa Village in May, bringing his vast culinary talents to Nui Italian, the resort’s newest restaurant. It opened last month following nine months of construction. He and his kitchen staff of 20 dish up family-friendly Italian fare for around 300 people every day.