Posted on: Tuesday, May 6, 2003

Local chef honored

Advertiser News Services

George Mavrothalassitis of Honolulu's Chef Mavro was named the best chef in the Pacific Northwest/Hawai'i region at the prestigious James Beard Awards in ceremonies last night in New York.

Even though it was his third nomination, "You never expect it, never," said the French-born chef in a cell phone call moments after his win.

Asked what "Mavro" had said at the podium, Donna Jung, his wife and publicist, was stymied for a moment: "I don't know. I burst into tears."

Mavro made his name at the Halekulani Hotel's La Mer and was executive chef at the Four Seasons Resort in Wailea before opening his own restaurant in 1999.

Previous James Beard regional winners are Roy Yamaguchi and Alan Wong.