Mala Welcomes Chef Alvin Savella

Nationally acclaimed Maui Chef Alvin Savella Named Executive Chef for local restaurant group Mala Ocean Tavern, Down The Hatch, and Breakwall Shave Ice Co.

We are so proud to announce and name Chef Alvin Savella Executive Chef of Mala Ocean Tavern, Down The Hatch, and Breakwall Shave Ice Co. starting December 1, 2020. Chef Savella known as the “Kitchen Assassin '' throughout Maui and to his large media following, is a true Maui local, born and raised on island, hailing from Lahaina.

After culinary school, Savella honed his craft for 10 years in Los Angeles while working for a wide variety of Chef’s. From his experience at the Ritz, he says “I never had to leave, because the new chefs I could learn from kept coming in.” In 2012, Savella moved back home to find himself working at the Ritz Carlton in Kapalua and eventually taking on Chef de Cuisine at Humuhumunukunukuapua'a at the Grand Wailea. Due to Covid, Savella’s displacement left him open to new opportunities. After several guest Chef appearances at Mala Ocean Tavern, the opportunity came to fruturition to be the Executive Chef of a team of aspiring chefs at both Down The Hatch and MALA. Chef Savella was enticed.

Chef Alvin Savella is known for his inventive approach to cuisine. As Executive Chef of Down The Hatch and Mala Ocean Tavern, Chef Savella will maintain the signature of each restaurant and begin to steer the restaurants on a new journey with menus featuring an array of innovative dishes, all highlighting Hawaii’s freshest produce and sourcing local proteins. When asked about what lured him to come into his role, Chef Savella said “To take the next step for myself as an Executive Chef and to take over the kitchens of staple restaurants in my hometown of Lahaina. I’m excited to shape MALA’s own culinary identity and come on board to allow MALA to stand on it’s own.” As for taking over the kitchen in The Best Bar on Maui, Down The Hatch, Savella looks forward to experimenting with the Southern Aloha Cuisine that DTH has been famed for through media like Diners, Drive-ins, and Dives on the Food Network. “I love all cuisines and I’m excited to bring flavors of the south and combine them more with the flavors of Maui… I can cook anything,” “The Kitchen Assassin” boasts.

Chef Alvin will step into his new role with Mala Ocean Tavern, Down The Hatch, and Breakwall Shave Ice Co. on December 1, 2020.

“The Kitchen Assassin” Chef Knives are now available the MALA SHOP today! Chef Alvin has a variety of knives that will have you in the kitchen cutting, chopping, and slicing like a pro. Order online today!

Cooking Hawaiian Style host Lanai Tabura licks his lips while Chef Alvin prepares a Tako dish while filming Upcountry on Maui. Click on the picture to see “The Kitchen Assassin” in action.

Mala Voted the Best!

2020 ʻAipono Maui Restaurant Awards

Maui Nō Ka ‘Oi Magazine presents the 2020 ‘Aipono Restaurant Award Winners honoring the island’s best restaurants as voted by the readers of Maui Nō Ka ʻOi. The ‘Aipono Gala raises funds for the University of Hawaiʻi–Maui Campus Culinary Arts Program, and creates real-world mentoring for tomorrow’s chefs.

Mala Ocean Tavern is proud to bring home awards for:

• Best Food

• Best Overall

• Best Seafood

• Best Value

• Best Service

Read the full article.