Nick’s Fishmarket, Son’z Steakhouse and Sarento’s on the Beach Awarded Top Honors at 14th Annual ‘Aipono Restaurant Gala

Owner and Restaurateur Aaron Placourakis Wins Lifetime Achievement Award

Three Tri-Star restaurants took top honors in dining awards at the 14^th Annual ‘Aipono Restaurant Gala held on Sunday, April 10, at the Grand Wailea Resort. Nick’s Fishmarket Maui won Gold for Best Service and Silver for Best Wine List. Son’z Steakhouse won Silver for Best Steak and Sarento’s on the Beach earned a Silver award for Most Romantic Setting. In addition, the Tri-Star President and CEO, Aaron Placourakis was recognized with a Lifetime Achievement Award at the prestigious award banquet. Placourakis received the award not only for his role in providing fine dining on Maui for nearly 20 years but also for his impact in the community by employing hundreds of food and beverage employees across his four restaurants and supporting multiple local companies and organizations.

Tri-Star restaurants have received numerous ‘Aipono awards every year since the award recognition began. ‘Aipono combines the Hawaiian words ‘ai (food) and pono (excellence) to encompass the theme of exceptional dining. Sponsored by Maui No Ka ‘Oi Magazine, the ‘Aipono Restaurant Awards annually recognize the best of Maui’s food, wine and hospitality industries as determined by ballot by the readers of Maui No Ka ‘Oi.

More than 400 restaurant professionals and industry supporters attended the 2016 ‘Aipono Gala, a fundraiser for the Maui Culinary Academy at the University of Hawai‘i–Maui College. Since 2003, the annual ‘Aipono Awards and the bimonthly ‘Aipono Wine Dinner Series have raised more than $220,000 for the Academy and the students who will be tomorrow’s culinary leaders. The event also provides a rare mentoring opportunity for those students, who spend the day of the gala working side by side with professional chefs in a real-world restaurant environment.

About Tri-Star Restaurant Group
Tri-Star Restaurant Group is a dining and hospitality management company. Tri-Star oversees award winning restaurants on the islands of Maui and Oahu; Nick’s Fishmarket Maui at world-renowned Fairmont Kea Lani Resort in Wailea, Sarento’s on the Beach in Kihei, Sarento’s Top of the “I” in Waikiki and Son’z Steakhouse at Hyatt Regency Maui Resort & Spa. Specializing in ambiance dining, Tri-Star restaurants offer unique experiences by blending spectacular views with exceptional customer service and attention to detail. Tri-Star’s corporate chef carefully curates each menu with a focus on fresh, locally sourced ingredients and island inspired flavors. Tri-Star’s certified sommelier crafts an extensive wine list to complement each restaurant’s menu. For more information on Tri-Star Restaurant Group, visit http://www.tristarrestaurants.com/home/.