Ippy Aiona has announced that he will open his own restaurant, Ippy’s Hawaiian Barbeque, in December at the Queen’s Marketplace in Waikoloa.

The Food Network Star finalist has frequently mentioned his desire to open his own restaurant since he finished competing in the national television show.

Today he made it official, announcing the restaurant’s opening via a newly-launched Facebook page for the restaurant.

The 23-year-old Big Island native grew up in the restaurant business and currently works as the executive chef for his mother’s Italian restaurant, Solimene’s in Waimea.

Aiona says he plans to serve Hawaiian plate lunch made the right way, providing customers with a taste of the islands and a taste of aloha.