Renowned Maui Chef/Restaurateur Has Designed Hawaiian's Menus Since 1999
HONOLULU, May 5, 2004 -- One of the biggest reasons behind Hawaiian Airlines' award-winning in-flight meal service – Executive Chef Beverly Gannon – is now in line for one of the biggest awards honoring excellence in cuisine.
Chef Gannon, who is the owner and chef at two nationally recognized Maui restaurants, is one of five finalists for the 2004 James Beard Foundation's “American Express Best Chef Award” in the Northwest-Hawaii category. Popularly known as the “Oscars of the food world,” the James Beard Foundation Awards will be presented Monday, May 10 in New York City.
When she's not earning plaudits for her culinary skills at “The Hali‘imaile General Store” in upcountry Maui and at “Joe's” in Wailea, Chef Gannon is designing the onboard menu selections for Hawaiian Airlines.
Mark Dunkerley, Hawaiian's president and chief operating officer, praised the quality that Chef Gannon has brought to the airline's meal service. “Bev Gannon has had a tremendous impact in making Hawaiian Airlines an industry leader with its in-flight meals and raising the standard for Hawaii's travelers. She brings the same skill and dedication diners enjoy at her restaurants to our onboard meal service. No chef more richly deserves this honor.”
Chef Gannon's influence was a major factor in Hawaiian being recognized by Condé Nast Traveler magazine as having the best meal service for business travelers in 2003.
“I'm always trying to raise the bar at everything I do, including the menus for Hawaiian Airlines. I'm always trying to be better with the next menu than the one before,” said Gannon.
Hawaiian's current First Class entrees for outbound flights departing Honolulu reflect the sense of style and “local” flavor she brings to the menu: Scallops with Soba Noodles in Chili Cream Sauce; Warm Marinated Beef / Vegetable Salad; and Plate Lunch Chicken Katsu with Rice and Potato Macaroni Salad.
One of the 12 founding chefs of Hawaii Regional Cuisine, Chef Gannon began designing Hawaiian's menu selections in 1999. Customer feedback was so positive, Hawaiian soon appointed her as Executive Chef, making Hawaiian the first airline to utilize the talents of a Hawaii Regional Cuisine chef to create its menus.
Chef Gannon stays closely involved with Hawaiian's in-flight meal service. She regularly meets with the kitchen staffs in cities where Hawaiian operates transpacific flights to ensure that menus and meal preparations maintain the high standards she has established for the airline.
The late James Beard is recognized as the father of American gastronomy.
The annual James Beard Foundation Awards is the industry's biggest party, and part of a celebration of fine cuisine. The awards ceremony honors the finest chefs, restaurants, journalists, cookbook authors, restaurant designers, and electronic media professionals in the country.
About Hawaiian Airlines
Hawaiian Airlines, the nation's number one on-time carrier, is recognized as one of the best airlines in America. Business travelers recently surveyed byCondé Nast Traveler rated Hawaiian Airlines as having the best in-flight service and meals of any U.S. carrier. Hawaiian was recently ranked fourth best in the nation overall by Travel + Leisure.
Celebrating its 75th year of continuous service, Hawaiian Airlines is Hawaii's largest and longest-serving airline, and the second largest provider of passenger air service between Hawaii and the mainland U.S. Hawaiian offers nonstop service to Hawaii from more mainland U.S. gateways
than any other airline. Hawaiian also provides approximately 100 daily jet flights among the Hawaiian Islands, as well as service to American Samoa and Tahiti.
Hawaiian Airlines, Inc. is a subsidiary of Hawaiian Holdings, Inc. (AMEX and PCX: HA). Since the appointment of a bankruptcy trustee on May 16, 2003, Hawaiian Holdings has had no involvement in the management of Hawaiian Airlines and has had limited access to information concerning the airline.
Additional information on Hawaiian Airlines is available at www.HawaiianAir.com.