A renowned Hawaii chef and an expert on Hawaii’s fishing industry teamed up on June 12 to share their knowledge about local catch during a workshop at the Hawaii Community College’s Palamanui campus in North Kona.
Seventeen culinary professionals from restaurants in West Hawaii joined James Beard Award-Winning Chef George Mavrothalassitis and United Fishing Agency General Manager Brooks Takenaka to learn about fishing methods, how to break down fish to maximize the bottom line, preparation of different fish species, cooking techniques, and more.
For Bryan Nagao, the chef de cuisine at Manta, a restaurant at the Mauna Kea Beach Hotel, it was interesting to learn more about the fishing industry, especially given how much fish Manta serves.
“Our customers come here to experience Hawaii products like mahi, opakapaka and onaga, and they love poke,” Nagao said. “It was interesting to get a different look at products we serve and the process of how it’s regulated.”
The workshop was presented by the Hawaii Culinary Education Foundation, a nonprofit organization that provides Hawaii culinary students and professionals with access to cutting-edge knowledge and techniques. Mavrothalassitis, also known as chef Mavro, is an HCEF board member.
After attendees learned from Takenaka about the fishing industry, chef Mavro demonstrated four recipes using different types of fish and preparation methods.
Peter Abarcar Jr., the executive chef at Mauna Kea Beach Hotel, said the workshop was important for connecting the next generation of culinary professionals with people like chef Mavro, who have tremendous passion for the art of cooking and were foundational to developing Hawaii regional cuisine.
“He’s part of that passionate group that started it all in Hawaii,” said Abarcar.
Associate professor chef Paul Heerlein leads the Culinary Arts program at Hawaii Community College-Palamanui, which offers associate degrees and certificates.
Heerlein said hosting the workshop is part of his effort to build a stronger connection between the Culinary Arts program and local chefs.
“I want Hawaii Community College-Palamanui to be a place where we not only teach high school and college students, but also a place that offers professional development classes for industry chefs,” Heerlein said. “Doing so can benefit local professionals, it can benefit our students by creating connections for them with people already working in the industry, and it can elevate the hospitality industry overall, which plays such an important role in the West Hawaii community.”
The Hawaii Community College-Palamanui Culinary Arts Program is currently accepting applications for the fall 2023 semester. The deadline to apply is Aug. 1. To learn more about the program and how to apply, visit hawaii.hawaii.edu or email Heerlein at heerlein@hawaii.edu.