Tommy Bahama Laguna Beach has named Marcus Jon Keliinui Lage as chef of its Tommy Bahama Laguna Beach Bar and Grill, scheduled to open on November 6.
Chef Lage will work closely with Tommy Bahama Culinary Director Don Donley and helm the kitchen of the 3,000-square-foot casual restaurant and bar, located at the landmark Heisler Building along the Pacific Coast Highway. He will supervise the local culinary team preparing contemporary American cuisine for lunch and dinner, with such dishes as the Laguna Burger, Lobster Corn Dogs, Swordfish Sandwich and Poblano Chicken, as well as handcrafted cocktails and craft beers.
Previously Lage was the executive sous chef at Roy’s in Newport Beach, where he worked for the last five years.
A graduate of the California School of Culinary Arts in Pasadena, he honed his skills working in variety of food industry positions, including as a barrista in a local cafe; a line cook at Regents Point Fine Retirement Living in Irvine; an associate trainer for Panera Bakery Cafe; and butchering, smoking meat and training staff at Whole Foods Market in Tustin.
Lage is a native of Irvine, Calif., and proud of his multi-ethnic descent: Hawaiian, Japanese, French, German, Irish, Swedish, Polish and Cherokee.
Posted 11/5/10.
