Kitchen Manager, Pita Paradise
We catch all of our own fish for Pita Paradise. We’ve got a big ‘ole boat. My uncle John—who owns the restaurant—another fisherman and I go out and catch mainly mahi and ono. That is normal for summer and in the winter we catch a lot of bottom fish like opakapaka.
I grew up in Maui but my first job was as a busser in a fine dining restaraunt while going to college in Florida. When I came back to Maui two years ago my aunt and uncle—the owners of Pita Paradise—suggested I come work at the restaurant.
I started off washing dishes for about three weeks, then learned how to cook. After six months I got promoted to the kitchen manager and I really like my job.
I work for about 10 and a half hours a day, about four or five times a week. I usually do all prep during the day and then I cook at night. When I am not at Pita Paradise I also shape surfboards on the side.
I think that the best part is that I get to help my family. It is a small place and we are all kind of like family at the restaurant. A couple of us live together. I go to work with them then I come home and hang out with them.
We have a really good mix of locals and tourists coming in. Our food is great. Once you eat there, you’ll keep coming back.
MTW
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