farm to table. small batch from scratch.
CHEF JUSTINE MA
Justine Ma is the chef, owner and culinary force behind Farm to Table Hawaii, a one-acre regenerative farm, culinary classroom, and creative studio nestled in Keaʻau on the Big Island of Hawaiʻi. Known for her award-winning handmade dumplings and sustainable, zero-waste practices, Justine creates dishes that tell stories—of land, culture, and resilience.
A former educator and school principal turned full-time chef, Justine’s work bridges a lifetime of teaching with a passion for food, farming, and storytelling. Her offerings—ranging from immersive cooking classes and glamping farm stays to private chef experiences and small-batch products—are rooted in local sourcing, community connection, and culinary creativity.
Justine has been featured on Food Network: Chopped and America’s Test Kitchen: The Next Generation Season 2, and best known for her signature BOUGIE DUMPLINGS. Her ability to transform rescued food into farm fresh luxe empowers others to live more intentionally through food, farming, and everyday rituals that honor place and purpose.
Whether she’s harvesting fruit, teaching dumpling-making workshops, or hosting intimate farm dinners, Chef Justine Ma is known as "The Bougie Farmer" and invites guests into a nourishing world of farm-fresh flavor, heart-led entrepreneurship, and unapologetically delicious living.
Empowering Food Choices
Every dish crafted by Chef Justine is a deliberate choice to support local farmers, fishermen, butchers and hunters to reduce the amount of invasive species and our carbon footprint. By savoring each meal, you are contributing to the preservation of our land, water, and ecosystems.
Locally Sourced, Minimum Impact
Chef Justine's commitment to sourcing ingredients locally minimizes land use and supports sustainable agricultural practices including no seed oils. This conscious approach ensures that every meal has minimal environmental impact where the food chain results in zero waste.
Water Conservation
On the farm, we harvest fresh Hawaiian water by well, and we use rainwater to feed the plants and animals on the farm to maximize and promote responsible water usage.
Environmental Stewardship
As caretaker of her one acre farm in Hawaii, Chef Justine has planted hundreds of veggies, flowers, and fruit trees on her acre to create an edible food forest for guests to explore.
Supporting Community Health
Chef Justine Ma has prioritized the well-being of the Big Island community by educating locals, residents, and visitors about healthy, sustainable ingredients. She is an ambassador for the Hawaii Ulu Co-op, teaches classes at local schools through Hawaii Island School Garden, and volunteers regularly to help local small business thrive for the betterment of their lives and fostering a culture of wellness.
LETS WORK TOGETHER
Interested in cooking appearances, brand collaborations or product partnerships?
Chef Justine offers an authentic Farm to Table experience that prioritizes sustainability, flavor, and social responsibility. She curates dinner parties for health & lifestyle brands, establishes wellness programs for major corporations, and demo's simple how-to garden meals for local schools. Her authentic approach to true farm to table cuisine is reshaping the future of food and offers a dining experience that is both conscientious and delightful.
