LIHUE — Mark Oyama, Kauai Community College instructor and owner of Mark’s Place and Contemporary Flavors Catering, has been inducted into the ninth annual Hawaii Restaurant Association Hall of Fame. Inductees into the Hall of Fame are selected for their
LIHUE — Mark Oyama, Kauai Community College instructor and owner of Mark’s Place and Contemporary Flavors Catering, has been inducted into the ninth annual Hawaii Restaurant Association Hall of Fame.
Inductees into the Hall of Fame are selected for their dedication and commitment to the growth of the restaurant and food service industry in Hawaii.
Oyama has been a key leader in the food industry since graduating with a culinary arts degree from the Kapiolani Community College on Oahu. He was inducted on Sept. 21 on Oahu.
He started his teaching career in China, and prior to coming to Kauai Community College, Oyama held chef positions in Alaska, Connecticut, Oahu and the Big Island before accepting a faculty position at KCC in 1992.
That was the year Hurricane Iniki hit the island, and Oyama was thrust into the role of managing the kitchen while KCC served as a major shelter following the hurricane. During that time, more than 90,000 meals were prepared for those who sought refuge at the KCC site.
Over the years, Oyama has led KCC culinary arts students to numerous gold and silver medals in various competitions, including first-place honors and the Chancellor’s Trophy at the Culinary Arts & Suppliers Exhibition on Oahu.
“The key is to answer ‘Why?’ at every level of culinary arts,” Oyama tells his students. “Don’t be afraid to make a mistake. Cooking is a lot of trail and error.”
Oyama teaches students that food is connected to every emotion and life occasion — from joyful to sorrowful. His goal is to teach the mastery of techniques, methods and flavors, and that food must be of the highest level of quality and fit the occasion.
Oyama works with industry partners on Kauai, across the state and in other states to hire KCC graduates. He is also credited for orchestrating the annual KCC Spring Gourmet Gala, a food and wine pairing event which, over 13 years, has become a popular, sold-out event.
When not in the kitchen or classroom, Oyama serves on more than seven boards, including the Kauai Mayor’s Agricultural Advisory Board and the Kauai Economic Development Food and Agriculture Council.
