Mauna Lani Expands Francis Brown Club With Top Chef Dining Series

Mauna Lani, Auberge Collection is expanding its recently launched Francis Brown Club with Chef Rhoda's Table, a new dining series debuting this fall at the luxury property in Hawaii. The program will be led by Executive Chef Rhoda Magbitang, who won Bravo's Top Chef Season 23.

The Francis Brown Club functions as a private venue within the larger resort, offering curated experiences, oceanfront gatherings, and intimate culinary events centered on Hawaii's culture and traditions. Rather than operating as a conventional club lounge, it serves as a destination for programming separate from the main property, designed for guests prioritizing privacy and personalization.

Chef Rhoda's Table builds on momentum from the Surf Shack residency this summer, which brought together Magbitang with fellow Top Chef Season 23 contestants Sieger Bayer, Oscar Diaz, and Brittany Cochran. The new series will host acclaimed guest chefs and culinary experts for intimate dinners. The fall lineup includes Chef Duyen Ha on September 12 for "From Carolina to the Kohala Coast," Sake Master Stuart Morris on October 17 for "The Art of Sake," and Chef Laurence Louie on December 12 for "From Carolina to the Kohala Coast."

The Francis Brown Club represents a shift in luxury hospitality strategy, emphasizing access and storytelling over standard room upgrades and amenities. Mauna Lani positions the venue as offering experiences that cannot be replicated elsewhere on the property.

As luxury hotels compete increasingly on experiential programming, branded dining series and chef residencies have become key differentiators for high-end properties seeking to justify premium positioning beyond physical infrastructure.