Chef Adam Tabura, The Spice Rack
If being a chef isn't stressful enough, being a major celebrity on the Food Network's Great Food Truck Race, and winning it with his team, and being from Hawaii…well…I'll take Chef Adam's stress any day because things are looking pretty good for this local boy from Lanai Island, and going to school at Lahainaluna on Maui. After 21 years of working hard in restaurants in resorts, and other venues, as well as doing some personal chef work, Adam Tabura is a humble local brother, and he's making use of his new connections in the business.
Adam spends time in Lahaina, and we both live 2 doors apart from each other which is cool. Most of time Adam doesn't look the chef part at all, instead he's got his truck with his ohana and his long board in the back ready for the waves.
Adam's story is unique, a long time ago he saved a man's life in Lanai just four days after graduation, and the man was so grateful that he sent Adam to culinary school, and just think, he saves a man's life, and that man returns the favor in helping plant the seeds to Adam's current success. I've seen Adam in action in the few restaurants he's been at as an executive chef, and I do attest Adam is a true professional.
At one visit, this is Adam. He walks into the walk-in freezer, "Man!!! I told these guys, first in first out!" What chef was referring to was when cooks store any items, it must be labeled and dated, and the older stuff is always in the front and not the back…for obvious reasons. "Man I keep repeating myself." Yep, when you are in charge of a professional kitchen, you are also somewhat of a babysitter. However Adam maintains his cool, always wanting to do a cooking video soon.
But on this day at the Maui Food Technology Center's Supply & Service Expo at the Hannibal Tavares Community Center, Adam was there to showcase his spices he markets to local chefs in Hawaii. "I have a few spices that I want to market, I do proprietary blends, I'm a spice broker here in Hawaii." When asked what's his best sellers he responded, "We got the basics, like onion powder, garlic powder, bay leaves, black peppercorns. Some of the more custom blends is one I call Kiawe Smoked Salt, Vinegar Chili Pepper Salt, and some that I've been working on for the last six years that I'll use in our food trucks, and in our restaurants in the next couple of years."
Chef Adam was really happy to be at the Supply & Service Expo to network with the many vendors that can provide some service in the food industry. So for those of you who are wanting to be not just a chef, but also a businessman, you have to follow through, work hard and go to these events to see and understand the current state of your business. "You need to love what you're doing, put in long hours, not being at home for the holidays, that all comes with the territory."
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