Food & Beverage Focus is a short profile on a person in the food & Beverage industry in Hawaii in a question and answer format. Jo McGarry has been writing about food and wine for more than a decade in Hawaii. Former editor of Gusto Magazine she began working as restaurant specialist for the Honolulu Star Bulletin in 2001 and writing a food column for MidWeek the same year. She is the host of a long running lifestyle radio program, Table Talk, that airs Saturday mornings on KHVH 830 AM from 10 – 11AM. She is the author of The Hawaii Tailgate Cookbook and the 'voice' of tailgating on radio. Visit her website: WineAndDineHawaii.com
Below are the last 10 Food & Beverage Focus columns
Chantal Weaver
Friday - March 17, 2010
Was your first job in the industry? I actually got into modeling and that was my initial career, but later on my father had gone through so many different secretaries that he asked me one day to be his executive secretary.
Read More >>Steven Matsuno
Friday - March 10, 2010
Age: 46
Job Title: Executive general manager, Seafood Village and Atlantis Seafood and Steak
What dishes would you recommend people try if they’re coming for the first time? Our crispy bacon-wrapped scallops and shrimp, honey walnut shrimp, country-style crab and fresh, whole fish are my “must haves”!
Read More >>Dave Millen
Friday - March 03, 2010
Job: Chef instructor, Culinary Arts/Food Service, Leeward Community College.
Where were you born and raised? Los Angeles, and at the tender, young age of 10, I started spending summers in Kona. That started my love of Hawaii.
Read More >>Kyle Reutner
Friday - February 23, 2010
Job Title: Bartender, thirtynine hotel, Honolulu
What started your bartending career? I was a busser at a restaurant, and they had a back bar that needed covering one night. It was the worst job in the restaurant, but I did it and decided that it was something I might like.
Read More >>Clayton Babas
Friday - February 17, 2010
Job Title: Executive Chef, The Ranch House
Things are pretty busy here at The Ranch House. Do you still cook at home? (laughs) As much as I can, but I’m not cooking too much at home since I started working here!
Read More >>Darren Demaya
Friday - February 10, 2010
Age:31
Where were you born and raised? Waimea, Hawaii
What sparked your interest in a culinary career? I started working in the industry as a dishwasher, like many people! I was given the opportunity to work with food at the pizza station of the restaurant, and that was where I started to discover a passion and excitement for cooking.
Read More >>Jeff Blair
Friday - February 03, 2010
Title: Vice President of Operations, Desert Island Restaurants
What sparked your interest in the F&B world? My first job was delivering chicken wings at Eben’s Hearth. It was a small, family-run restaurant and I really enjoyed working there.
Read More >>
Adam Gilbert
Friday - January 27, 2010
Age: 32
Job title: Chef/Kitchen Operations Manager, Star of Honolulu
What got you started in F&B industry? I have been working in the food industry since I was 12, and I spent many years before that in a restaurant my mother managed.
Read More >>William J. Nickerson
Friday - January 20, 2010
Job Title: General Manager Wolfgang Steakhouse
What made you choose a career in the food and beverage world? The love of celebration.
What do you recommend for first-time visitors to Wolfgang’s? Our Sizzling Canadian Bacon. It’s unique.
David Newman
Friday - January 06, 2010
Job Title: Bartender, Nobu, Waikiki.
Has bartending always been your favorite part of the industry? Always. I could never hold down a real job (laughs).
So your first job in the industry was behind a bar? Not really. I worked with a catering company, and one night someone didn’t turn up for work and they needed a bartender
Read More >>
