Chai Chaowasaree
Chai Chaowasaree of Chai’s Island Bistro has various food-court favorites, but when pressed, he named the fried chicken plate ($8.59 for two pieces) at Lahaina Chicken Company in the Ala Moana food court as his first choice. When you open the Styrofoam container, the plate lunch is big enough to last two or three meals, so he views it as a good deal.
"As a chef who works around fancy food all day long, sometimes a simple meal is best," Chaowasaree said. "I don’t want to wait too long for food or take two hours for lunch, so often people see me at the food court."
Like his peers, Chaowasaree likes his food simple, quick and convenient, and has learned where to find the delicious deals that satisfy his cravings off the clock. He sums up these hot picks by haute chefs simply: "Often people say hello and laugh at me, saying, ‘with all the good food at your restaurant, why are you are eating here?’ But really, good food is good food no matter where you're eating it. So … eat up."
