Chef and Owner of Capische? and Il Teatro
 Brian Etheredge, Chef and owner of Capische? and most recently IL Teatro has come to be regarded as one of Maui’s finest chefs. The accolades speak for themselves as the years progress with The Maui News’ readers voting Capische? as the “Best Overall” restaurant in Maui in 2006. This year, Fodor’s recognized Capische? as Maui’s “Best Kept Secret”, along with the “Award of Excellence” from Wine Spectator Magazine for 4 consecutive years.
In 2001, Chef Brian was an award winner at the Taste of Lahaina Event and has been a regular celebrity chef at Taste of Wailea in conjunction with the renowned Maui Film Festival. Chef Brian and Capische? have received many honors in the last seven years including awards recognizing his dedication in creating and maintaining the highest standards for hospitality and culinary excellence.
Chef Brian began cooking at age five when his grandfather and brother returned home from fishing trips. His brother caught the bass while Brian prepared it. Under the watchful eye of his grandfather, his brother became the talented angler and Brian became the accomplished chef. He received his formal culinary training at the Southeast Institute of Culinary Arts in Saint Augustine, Florida, and then at the Culinary Institute of America, Hyde Park, New York, where he graduated in 1996. His professional training continued at several top east coast restaurants including Marker 32 Restaurant, Darrell & Oliver’s East City Grill and Max’s Café before relocating to and launching his restaurateur career on Maui.
In early 2002, Chef Brian and a handful of others started Capische? Restaurant in its current location, The Diamond Hawaii Resort & Spa. This year, he opened Il Teatro at Capische?, where he has already gained national recognition. Il Teatro, “the theater” in English, is an interactive dining experience where you get to watch Chef Brian or one of his highly trained chef’s cook your dinner right before your eyes. The chef and sommelier take you on a culinary journey through different regions of Italy discussing both the classic food and wines of each respective region. “Il Teatro keeps us fresh. We constantly have to be learning, expanding our culinary vision and shaping our culinary philosophies. There are hundreds of wine varietals in Italy to be paired with food… I think we will be busy learning for a while,” he says with a grin. When asked about his philosophy on food and cooking Brian quickly replies, “It’s simple, we cook honest food. We don’t try to hide or mask the flavors of the ingredients we use. We call it the building blocks of flavor. You start with really good products add a little passion and a whole lot of care and your dish will be great every time. At the end of the day, we are just cooks and we love what we do.”
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