Mark Ellman
Mark Ellman died February 26, 2023, was a Hawaii-based restaurant chef. His first Hawaiian restaurant, Avalon, is on Maui; he became its owner in 1991. By 2011 he had sold that restaurant, and had founded or purchased into several other similar establishments.
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Ellman was one of the twelve chefs who developed and promoted Hawaii regional cuisine.[1][2]
In 1988 his restaurant Avalon was the first of the chef-owned Hawaii regional restaurants and he was one of the founders of Honolulu Regional Cuisine in 1991. He urged the group to publish a cookbook The New Cuisine of Hawaii and his dishes, described by Honolulu Magazine as "towering tiki-style" were featured in the book's pictures with dishes such as chili-seared salmon on the cover. He served tableside guacamole and wok-fried whole snapper in black bean sauce.[1] In 2011 he was the chef and owner of Mala Ocean Tavern, Mala Wailea. and Honu Seafood in Lahaina.[1] Ellman has started and sold various restaurants including Avalon, Maui Tacos and Penne Pasta.[1]