As we continue counting down to our exclusive event in Hawaii this October, we’re reflecting on our 10-year partnership with StarChefs — a journey that has taken us across the U.S., into kitchens, behind the bar, and into conversations with some of the most inspiring culinary voices of the last decade.

Here’s a look at what we’ve shared so far:

Where It All Began

Our partnership with StarChefs began in 2015, when Symrise’s VP of Marketing, Emmanuel Laroche, attended several of the organization’s International Chef Congresses in NYC. That first handshake led to a shared goal: stay connected to culinary innovation at its source.

We shared this story in our post, “Flavor at the Source”, highlighting how “tasting treks” and Rising Stars panels shaped our approach to trend exploration and ingredient development.

Celebrating Chefs & Bartenders in Hawaii In the lead-up to our Hawaii event, we published “Roots with a Twist”, a feature spotlighting Hawaiian-based chefs and bartenders who turn local ingredients into powerful stories — from Chef Lee Anne Wong’s fusion of global techniques with Hawai‘i’s pantry to the ocean-inspired work of Chef Vikram Garg.

This piece serves as a preview of the creative talent that will help shape our Hawaii experience.

Moments from the Past 10 Years

We’ve also revisited some of our favorite memories from the road, including:

• Our very first StarChefs event in New Orleans (2016)

• Roundtable discussions hosted by Emmanuel Laroche, featuring voices like Michael Solomonov, Brad Kilgore, Diego Oka, Jose Garces, and more

• Standout dishes and drinks, like the Foie Gras Funnel Cake in Seattle, a Pepperoni Negroni in Providence, and a Strawberry Pie with aged balsamic in Atlanta

From coast to coast, we’ve highlighted beautiful plates, unexpected cocktails, and the people behind them.

Across the Map

In a recent visual recap, we also mapped our journey — from Miami to Portland, Philadelphia to San Francisco, and everywhere in between — showing just how many regions and talents have shaped this partnership over the years.

What’s Next

We’re not done yet. Over the next few weeks, we’ll continue sharing more moments, more chefs, and more flavor-forward memories leading into the Hawaii Anniversary Celebration this October.

Follow us on LinkedIn and Instagram to stay connected and explore more of the journey — one dish, one drink, and one story at a time.