About the Chef
With the famed Mauna Kea Beach Hotel having reopened its doors, acclaimed Chef George Gomes, Jr. has returned to the helm as Executive Chef.
A familiar face at the Hotel dating back to the 1980s, Gomes returns to the Island of Hawai‘i where his family roots are and his career began.
"George is a remarkably creative chef and we are thrilled to welcome him home to The Mauna Kea," says resort general manager Jon Gersonde. "He has established a very accomplished career and is an incredible Big Island success story that will bring a lot of excitement to the new restaurants."
Several members of Chef Gomes family have worked at The Mauna Kea in different capacities over the years.
"This was not just another job offer for me," says Gomes. "My family is part of Mauna Kea's history and vice versa. Coming home to the Big Island with my children continues our story. This is a very special opportunity for me, and we are going to make it special for everyone who comes to dine with us."
The Mauna Kea, known for dining excellence since 1965, has reopened with three restaurants: MANTA & Pavilion Wine Bar featuring the "Enomatic wine experience" and new exhibition kitchen, Hau Tree~Beachside at Kauna‘oa, and the Copper Terrace.
The "Number 3" golf clubhouse restaurant features gourmet dining in a relaxed and casual atmosphere. The Mauna Kea also features favorite themed events including The Mauna Kea Lu‘au, Clambake Seafood Feast, and traditional Sunday Brunch.
Gomes was Restaurant Chef at The Mauna Kea Beach Hotel's "Garden" restaurant during the 1980s when Hawai‘i Regional Cuisine was starting to come into its own. His creative combinations of authentic Big Island ingredients, such as local fish and seafood with breadfruit, purple sweet potatoes and Asian vegetables in upscale entrées earned kudos from top food critics and The Mauna Kea's discerning guests.
In 1992, Gomes teamed up with Chef Jean-Marie Josselin to enhance the menus and service in five restaurants on Maui, ‘Oahu and Kaua‘i. Since 2000, he has been Corporate Executive Chef with Tri-Star/Jas Restaurant Group overseeing numerous prominent restaurants throughout Hawaii.
He has also expanded his expertise with cooking demonstrations, events and special guest chef experience in New York City, Washington, DC, Scottsdale, Arizona, Las Vegas, and the Grand Formosa Hotel in Taipei, Taiwan.
The Mauna Kea Beach Hotel reopened in December following an extensive multi-million dollar renovation and restoration. The hotel was originally developed by Laurence Rockefeller and opened in 1965. In 2008, it was named one of the top 100 iconic buildings in the United States by the American Institute of Architects.
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