BEST CHEF
James McDonald
Visionary in the culinary industry, inspiration to his Maui Community College Culinary program roots, an artist with Hawaiian ingredients as his palette, Chef James McDonald can be proud of his win as Best Chef. Not busy enough with a trio of restaurants, Pacific’o, I’o, and the Feast at Lele in the 505 Front Street Center in Lahaina, Chef James honed in on starting the eight acre O’o farm in Kula, which he uses to supply his restaurants with fresh produce, fruits, herbs and aromatics. Arriving in Hawaii at the young age of 19, Chef James has worked hard to reach celeb chef status, using not just his good looks, but a strong sense of loyalty and a desire to contribute to the community with his knowledge of pacific rim cuisine and business sense. Pacific’o: 505 Front St # 14, Lahaina, 667-4341; I’o: 505 Front St #114, Lahaina, 661-8422. [JR]
Runner up: Danny Paquette
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