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Executive Chef Todd Carlos :: The Seawatch Restaurant on Maui Chef Carlos is not afraid of hard work, and as a matter of fact, he seems to be happiest when the kitchen is running at full tilt. It's been said that when the heat is on, Chef Carlos is "unflappable." A dedicated professional, Carlos has memories of family gatherings where relatives would always take part in the debate over food preparation and organization. Carlos also credits his Greek immigrant grandfather, who owned three restaurants in Ohio, for showing him that what we love can be a practical profession. As his grandfather told him,"Whatever you do in life, people will always have to eat." While in high school working at various Maryland restaurants, Carlos started developing his own style of cuisine. He fine-tuned this style while attending the prestigious Culinary Institute of America in Hyde Park, New York. His dedication was easy to see, as Carlos made numerous trips to New York City on weekends for hands-on experience. Following his graduation in 1986, he spent several years working in the Caribbean, and then joined Rock Resorts for two years at the Carambola Beach Resort on St. Croix, Virgin Islands. In 1989, Carlos landed on the Hawaiian island of Lanai, and spent ten years at The Lodge at Koele. He then joined Tri-Star Restaurant Group at Nicholas Nickolas, Sarento's, and Nick's Fishmarket on Maui, before taking over the helm of The Seawatch Restaurant in Wailea in October 2000. Carlos is the quintessential working executive chef, with an emphasis on "working." "I absolutely love to cook," Carlos says simply. "In this world of a million ingredients, I like to put new twists on classic meals, creating a flavorful cuisine using the fresh fish from the waters behind me." Carlos calls his style of food Coastal Cuisine, because he has lived in many coastal regions that have shaped his culinary thinking. "Most of the places I've lived in and have been influenced by were along the sea, including Jamaica, the Bahamas, the Hawaiian Islands, Micronesia and the Mediterranean," says Carlos. "Like everyone else, I love to eat great food--but I love to prepare it for others, as well." Without question, the cuisine of Todd Carlos can be summed up in two words: "simply delicious." | |