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Elmer Guzman
Elmer Guzman was born and raised on Maui. He grew up fishing from the reefs surrounding the island and thus began his life-long love of fish. His love of cooking started early too. While in high school he worked at the local Sizzler's as a dishwasher and it was the actions of a bored line cook who let him take over the cooking chores one day that got him hooked. Elmer says that from that first time of throwing food on the griddle, he knew he'd found what he wanted to do.
After graduating from Baldwin High School, he moved to Honolulu to study at Kapiolani Community College in their culinary program. While there he worked for Alan Wong at the Canoe House on the Big Island. Alan became more than a boss to Elmer, he proved to be a teacher and mentor. Elmer still remembers the advice Alan gave him to study harder, work harder and always be ready to learn.
It was with the encouragement of Alan that Elmer decided to continue his education at The Greenbrier - one of the world's most difficult and prestigious culinary programs. Most of his fellow classmates came from the Culinary Institute of America, Johnson & Wales and a host of other notable schools. Elmer says that he felt compelled to prove himself which he did most ably being the only one in his class to graduate with a Gold Medal.
Upon graduation, he saw an article in Food & Wine magazine listing the "Top Ten Rising Chefs" and determined he would send his resume to all of them figuring that at least one would respond. In fact, three responded, two from New York City and one from New Orleans. Based on weather considerations, cost of living and a general good feeling, he took a job with Emeril Lagasse.
Elmer credits 'good timing' for much of his learning. He says that the opportunity to work with Alan Wong and Emeril Lagasse when they were both actively cooking in their restaurants on a daily basis was priceless.
During his time at The Greenbrier, Elmer married his longtime girlfriend and partner, Samantha Jones. Elmer said that one of the reasons he took the job with Emeril was Emeril's willingness to hire Samantha as well. The two have been inseparable since they met and Elmer says Samantha always knows what the best thing to do is.
After a few years in New Orleans, they were expecting their first child and decided it was time to return to Hawaii to be close to family. Elmer helped open Strawberry Connection, one of Honolulu's first gourmet retail shops. He ran the deli but kept his eye out for another cooking gig. When Sam Choy was looking for an executive chef for his fine-dining restaurant, Elmer applied and was hired. He spent nearly seven years at Sam Choy's Diamond Head before deciding it was time to open his own place.
While people who know his fine-dining background might be surprised at the casual nature of Poke Stop, Elmer feels it is a completely natural progression of what he loves to do - create great food that makes people happy when they eat it. The second Poke Stop opened in Mililani Mauka in December 2008 and has found a hungry and welcoming clientele in this Central Oahu neighborhood!
Elmer and crew also run a very popular catering business providing delicious food for all types of events from weddings to business lunches. Please send catering inquiries to pscatering@hawaii.rr.com.
Elmer keeps a busy schedule. He teaches cooking classes on a monthly basis for Gourmet Cooking Hawaii and participates in numerous charitable events.
What does the future hold? More Poke Stops in Hawaii and on the Mainland. And, more great Elmer products for you to use at home including cookbooks, sauces, fish utensils and Elmer Gear. Find Elmer Guzman and Poke Stop products at Elmer's Store.
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