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JEFF ENDERVELT,
PRESIDENT/CEO
Jeff Endervelt has been our Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive
Officer since February 2004. He was elected President May 2006.
Mr. Endervelt previously served as Chief Executive Officer, President
and Chairman of the Board of Directors of Blimpie International,
Inc. from January 2002 until October 2005. Mr. Endervelt is also
President and CEO of Blimpie of California, Inc., (BOC) Blimpie’s
Southern California subfranchisor in Los Angeles, California.
Mr. Endervelt has served
as President and Chairman of the Board of various public and private
companies involved in the consumer products field, including food
and non-food products and services since 1974.
MARK ELLMAN, FOUNDER, EXECUTIVE CHEF
Celebrity Chef Mark Ellman began his culinary career at age 13
in Los Angeles, California. His entrepreneurial spirit was born
some years after when he and his wife Judy launched Cant Rock
‘n’ Roll, But Sure Can Cook, a catering company for
rock stars and recording studios in Malibu, California. He didn’t
stop there, over the years, Chef Ellman and his partners opened
several restaurants on the West Coast before he and his wife Judy
decided it was time for a change and relocated to Hawaii. There
Mark opened the acclaimed Avalon restaurant in 1988 across the
street from the beach in Lahaina, Maui. With Avalon’s reputation
for unique Pacific Rim cuisine, Chef Ellman became known as one
of the original 12 Hawaii Regional Chefs. Chef Ellman realized
that paradise lacked great Mexican food and as a result opened
the first Maui Tacos in 1993 in Napili, Maui. Chef Ellman opened
several more locations throughout the islands before launching
the brand on the mainland.
Chef Ellman’s resume is filled with well-earned
awards and experiences. He has been featured on television programs
such as “Emril” and “The TODAY Show” and
in several magazines including Food & Wine, Wine Spectator,
House and Garden, Bon Appetit and L.A. Style. Chef Mark and Judy
Ellman own and operate 8 Maui Tacos on the islands, as well as
MALA Ocean Tavern and Penne Pasta Cafe. All of Maui Tacos authentic
recipes are approved by Chef Ellman and feature an unexpected
combination of your favorite Mexican dishes, delicious spices
of Hawaii and the spirit of Aloha.
MARK GELISH, VICE PRESIDENT OF OPERATIONS
Mark Gelish has over 30 years of experience in restaurant operations,
all of which have been in the hospitality field. Serving in both
culinary and management positions, Mark has a strong and established
track record from managing a variety of company-owned and franchised
restaurants from the ground level up.
Mr. Gelish’s background includes growing
start-up brands such as Houlihan’s Old Place, Millard Fillmore’s,
Au Bon Pain Bakery and Bertucci’s Brick Oven Pizzeria. Mr.
Gelish has extensive experience in franchise support, working
with Doctor Associates (Subway) and Blimpie International, Inc.
Mr. Gelish has a degree in Occupational Science from the Culinary
Institute of America in Hyde Park, New York and is currently a
student of Polynesian culture.
CHEF SERGIO PEREZ
Chef Perez came in to this world destined to cook. Born in Mexico
City, he spent much of his childhood in his family’s Carnitas
Café taqueria in the heart of Mexico City. Chef Perez eventually
moved to Lakewood, California and worked for the popular Greek
restaurant, Acropolis. After 8 years, Chef Perez moved to Maui
to introduce the Denny’s franchise to the island. There
he met one of the founding fathers of the Hawaiian Regional Cuisine,
Chef Mark Ellman and his life hasn’t been the same since.
Chef Perez quickly developed a passion for Pacific Rim Cuisine
and joined Chef Ellman at his ever popular Avalon restaurant.
Chef Perez has been with Maui Tacos since its beginnings and is
the Executive Chef and partner of MALA Ocean Tavern and Penne
Pasta Cafe.
CHEF PEPE VEGA
Chef Vega was born and raised in Tepa, Mexico. His mother, a Chef
and teacher at a local culinary institute, was a big influence
on his career. Chef Vega went to Hawaii in 1985 to work with Compadres,
a Mexican restaurant which had him traveling between restaurants
in Honolulu, Lahaina, Napa and Australia. Chef Vega returned to
Hawaii for good in 1996 to work for Maui Tacos. Together with
Chef Sergio Perez and Chef Mark Ellman they opened several Maui
Tacos locations and partnered in the successful Penne Pasta Café
and MALA Ocean Tavern. Pepe's involvement in community and church
along with a little surfing keep him very busy on his little island
called Maui.
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