Former Food Network winner now executive chef on Maui

HONOLULU (KHON2) — Isaac Bancaco has a short while ago been appointed the new executive chef at Pacific’o on the Seaside. You may try to remember him beating Bobby Flay on Foodstuff Network’s Iron Chef The usa alongside Ming Tsai. 

Bancaco arrives from Hawaiian, Chinese, Japanese and Filipino backgrounds which he explained formed him into the chef he is currently. 

“At this stage in my occupation, our cooking and menu have been influenced by a myriad of activities and draws. Some whimsical and dangerous, some by a memory I grew up with,” explained Bancaco. “It’s hard to pinpoint, but I believe obtaining my spot in this culinary local community has evolved into wanting at the food of my friends and acknowledging how talented they are.”

He explained rising up on the island with a Hawaiian family, he is drawn to the ocean and is very pleased to supply neighborhood as very well as showcase Hawaiian components in every dish he generates.

” I adore tinkering with ideas and foods, but actually geeking out on the system and significance of an component, how it’s developed and what it tastes like at its peak plays a big role in our present-day menu,” said Bancaco.

He explained owning the dichotomy of splitting time among Kula and Lahaina in the course of his childhood seriously foreshadowed his cuisine. 

The thought of expending his college 7 days surrounded by pasture, produce, farmers and ranchers in Kula and Upcountry Maui, and then heading to Lahaina for the weekends wherever he cherished looking at the boats and fishermen occur and go as a result of Lahaina Harbor, subconsciously grew to become the catalyst of possibilities. 

“The idea that you can take an ingredient from the mountain and blend it with anything from the ocean, or a method from a person society and cuisine and layer in yet another was definitely intriguing to me,” explained Bancaco. “It continuously opens my senses to an infinite palate of ideas.”

All through Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month it is critical to see representation in all factors like media, schooling and in good cuisine.

“It’s essential to see illustration in all factors as it sets an example for young children today that they can do and be whatsoever they want,” stated Bancaco. “Not even just young children, but anyone. Observing people today who glance like you, carrying out what you aspire is amazingly motivating.”

He stated remaining on Iron Chef The usa was remarkable. Not only to symbolize Hawaiian delicacies but to also signify his Asian and Pacific Islander heritage. 

“Iron Chef The usa is the speediest hour in culinary show business enterprise,” stated Bancaco. “Five dishes composed for four judges, in addition the elegance photographs with no enhancing and/or swap outs. I was Ming Tsai’s sous chef as he led us to victory.”

Being named the Executive Chef of Pacific’o on the Beach front is definitely a homecoming for Bancaco. The cafe is located on Lahaina’s well known Front Road and open up Tuesday-Saturday from 5-9 p.m.

Since summer time months are likely to be well-liked it is greatest to e book a reservation in advance. You can do that by likely to their web page or on Resy.