A native of Hawaii’s Big Island, Leanne Kamekona is an American Chef’s Association certified executive chef and a graduate of the University of Hawaii. Her impressive career spans more than 20 years with luxury resorts and hotels. Chef Kamekona first became captivated by working with food while employed in a family-owned grocery store on the Big Island of Hawaii. Today, she is executive chef at the Agua Caliente Casino Resort Spa. Kamekona brings an instinctive culinary talent to her role as executive chef at this AAA Four Diamond resort in Rancho Mirage where she oversees an array of restaurants from casual to fine, including Waters Café, Grand Palms Buffet, Poker Deli, and the resort’s award-winning fine dining experience, The Steakhouse. “The Hawaiian way of life continues to infuse the menus I develop with unique culinary experiences, while incorporating in the flavors that are distinctive to our Southern California location in Rancho Mirage,” Kamekona says. “I enjoy working with growers and purveyors to bring the freshest ingredients to the table for our guests to enjoy here at Agua Caliente Casino Resort Spa.”