Chef Damien

Merriman's Kauai

With almost two decades of culinary experience, Mexico native, Damian is described as having one of the most contagious attitudes in any kitchen. His food philosophy is to source the best local produce and stay true to it.

Chef Rubio is passionate about cooking and people. This dedicated self-taught culinarian worked his way up from a prep cook all the way to Executive Chef in only 16 years.

Starting as a prep cook in 2007 at Pineapple Grill, he caught on fast with an exceptional eye for detail. Hired on at Merriman’s in 2010 his personality and passion shined bright in the kitchen as he mastered every station. Given the opportunity to work under several well-seasoned chefs provided him hands-on education and training. Chef Rubio is most honored to have trained under Merriman’s Corporate Chef, Neil Murphy, for a decade, who he says was his #1 mentor. Chef Rubio continued to advance at Merriman’s landing the position as Chef De Cuisine for 6 years until he beat out several applicants for Executive Chef of Merriman’s Kapalua, Maui in 2021. 

His stellar attitude and leadership skills have created a great team who work well together as a family with genuine love and pride in what they do. “I love to share what I’ve learned with others and working with such a professional team with high quality standards is really a blessing!”