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News & Announcements » Micronesian Chefs’ Association’s Maila Ta Fan Chesa returns to celebrate local chefs and cuisine, welcomes American Culinary Federation and UOG for aquaculture spotlight

Micronesian Chefs’ Association’s Maila Ta Fan Chesa returns to celebrate local chefs and cuisine, welcomes American Culinary Federation and UOG for aquaculture spotlight

Micronesian Chefs’ Association’s Maila Ta Fan Chesa returns to celebrate local chefs and cuisine, welcomes American Culinary Federation and UOG for aquaculture spotlight

Micronesian Chefs’ Association’s Maila Ta Fan Chesa returns to celebrate local chefs and cuisine, welcomes American Culinary Federation and UOG for aquaculture spotlight


9/3/2025
Tusbaki Tower team members plate desserts during the 2025 Maila Ta Fan Chesa event held at the Hyatt Regency Guam.
Tusbaki Tower team members plate desserts during the 2025 Maila Ta Fan Chesa event held at the Hyatt Regency Guam.  This year’s Maila Ta Fan Chesa will return to the Hyatt on September 17, 2025 at 6pm.  Tickets are available now and will benefit the Micronesian Chefs’ Association.
The Maila Ta Fan Chesa event returns to the Hyatt
The Maila Ta Fan Chesa event returns to the Hyatt on September 17, 2025 and will feature chefs and farmers from all over the island.  Tickets are available now with benefits going toward the MCA and their development programs for chefs.
This year’s Maila Ta Fan Chesa event will feature the chefs of the Micronesia Chefs’ Association and the American Culinary Federation
This year’s Maila Ta Fan Chesa event will feature the chefs of the Micronesia Chefs’ Association and the American Culinary Federation, along with aquacultured fish from the University of Guam Center for Island Sustainability and Sea Grant aquaponics program.
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The Micronesian Chefs’ Association (MCA), in partnership with the American Culinary Federation (ACF) and the University of Guam Center for Island Sustainability and Sea Grant (UOG CIS & Sea Grant), is excited to announce the return of the Maila Ta Fan Chesa event on Wednesday, September 17, 2025, at the Hyatt Regency Guam.

After a successful comeback last year, this year's culinary showcase will continue to highlight the incredible talent of Guam's local chefs, with teams creating dishes highlighting locally sourced ingredients. The event, which means "come, let's have some appetizers" in CHamoru, is a celebration of the island's unique flavors and culinary traditions.

“We are excited to be back with this year’s Maila Ta Fan Chesa where we’ll be sharing new elements and our new partnerships with the American Culinary Federation and the UOG CIS and Sea Grant.  I’m confident that the new elements will bring this year’s event to the next level,” said Micronesian Chefs’ Association President Peter Duenas.  “We are working with some of Guam’s Top chefs and their teams, ready to bring creative flavors and style for the event and attendees. You don’t want to miss this one!”

A new addition to this year's event is a special spotlight category dedicated to locally grown and raised aquaculture. This category, supported by the UOG CIS and Sea Grant, aims to showcase the potential of sustainable aquaculture in enhancing Guam's food security and promoting a circular economy.

“UOG CIS & Sea Grant is honored to partner with the MCA and ACF on this iconic event,” said Director of the UOG CIS & Sea Grant Austin Shelton Ph.D. “Along with the amazing local ingredients from all around the island, the event will feature of locally aquacultured fish to give everyone a sense of how our island can be more sustainable and increase our food security.”

Attendees will also be automatically entered to win their own circulating aquaponics system that can help them start growing their own fish and vegetables, valued at $3000, for free

Teams Include:

  • Meskla
  • Hyatt Regency Guam
  • Dusit Thani Resort Guam
  • Primo Pizzakaya
  • The Tsubaki Towers
  • John F. Kennedy High School ProStart team
  • Guam Community College ProStart team

“This event is about showcasing local talent, and helping to develop new local talent,” explained MCA member Mirko Agostini, executive chef of the Hyatt Regency Guam. “Coming to this event will help us to continue to provide programs and support for the up-and-coming chefs and students interested in culinary here on Guam.”

Attendees will have the chance to taste these unique creations and engage with the chefs, learning about the inspiration behind their dishes and the importance of using local ingredients.

The local ingredients and farmers to be highlighted this year include:

  • Bill McDonald, Agana Heights - Lemmai
  • Roland Santos (Farm to Table), Mangilao - Mansanita
  • Ken Aguon, Talo’fo’fo - Aga’
  • Glen Takai, Talo’fo’fo - Donne’
  • Joseph Paulino, Inalahan - Niyok
  • Frank Santos Jr., Ordot-Chalan Pago - Limon CHamoru

Tickets are available now for $85 at Meskla, IDI, Tools of the Trade, and from MCA members.  The proceeds from the event will support the Micronesian Chefs’ Association's mission to foster the next generation of culinary leaders on the island.