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taste polynesia

Experience our island cultures through authentic tastes and world class dining


The ground oven

Ground ovens are traditional throughout the Polynesian Islands. In the early morning hours at the Center a Hawaiian ground oven, or imu, is built and used to dry age and steam a whole roasted pig for 10 hours to ensure the most tender and delicious meat. This practice is common for luaus and has been passed down through the generations. Though it is not without modern influences, the preparation and utilization of the imu is only one of the ways that we honor the long-standing traditions of Polynesian cooking.

 
 

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Cooking on hot rocks

Creasepaul Tofa, cultural expert from our Samoan village and Executive Chef Felix Tai showcase one of the many ways that the Center uses traditional Polynesian techniques and recipes in innovative ways to bring unique dishes to our Ohana. Our chefs use a hot rock technique to create a delicious meal with fresh Kona Kampachi fish marinated in brown sugar and coconut milk vinaigrette based off a traditional Samoan recipe. This demonstration was made in our Samoan Village which frequently hosts interactive cooking demonstrations.

Freshness Daily

farm to table

delicious, nutritious and island fresh

Locally sourced organic ingredients maintain freshness and produce a flavor palette that is unique to the surrounding land and sea.

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Sustaining excellence

The Polynesian Cultural Center is a living, breathing, teaching campus. Our chefs are dedicated to the future of their student staff members. We are proud to be ensuring our continued preservation and portrayal of Polynesian culture by investing in the development of our talented students. We are honored by the love and dedication that our students have for their work.

Landon Hullinger

We would like to congratulate the talented Landon Hullinger on his promotion to Sous Chef. Hullinger is a great leader, passionate, talented and dedicated to his craft. Under the tutorship of our head chefs, Hullinger has honed his craft and refined his commitment to delivering an excellent culinary experience for our guests.

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Daryl Snelson

We would like to highlight Daryl Snelson, another of our amazing student cooks. Snelson is originally from Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, for the last six months he’s been attending BYU-Hawaii full-time while also working as a cook in the Polynesian Cultural Center’s main kitchen. Eager and quick to learn, with a big smile always at the ready, he’s a shining example of how all our food is cooked with love.

Taste Polynesia FAQ

  • What is Taste Polynesia about?

    Taste Polynesia shares island cultures through food, cooking traditions, and fresh Pacific flavors. Guests can learn about dishes shaped by generations of Polynesian practice, from imu cooking to hot rock preparation. The experience connects flavor with culture, showing how food can carry memory, family, and place. 

  • What is an imu, and why is it important?

    An imu is a Hawaiian ground oven used to cook food slowly with heat from the earth. At the Center, a whole pig is steamed for hours to create tender meat often associated with lūʻau traditions. The method honors cooking practices passed down through generations. 

  • What does cooking on hot rocks mean?

    Cooking on hot rocks is a traditional Polynesian technique that uses heated stones to prepare food. On the Taste Polynesia page, this method is shown through a dish made with Kona Kampachi fish, brown sugar, and coconut milk vinaigrette, inspired by a Samoan recipe. 

  • Are local ingredients part of the dining experience?

    Yes, local and organic ingredients are part of the Taste Polynesia approach. Fresh island ingredients help create flavors connected to the surrounding land and sea. This farm-to-table focus makes the food feel bright, nourishing, and tied to the place where it is prepared. 

  • What can guests learn about food at the Polynesian Cultural Center?

    At the Polynesian Cultural Center, food is presented as part of a living cultural experience. Guests can learn how Polynesian cooking traditions are honored through preparation methods, recipes, student training, and chef-led creativity. The result is dining that feels connected to heritage, learning, and aloha.

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