Chef Diego Oka has been named Executive Chef at La Mar by Gaston Acurio, Mandarin Oriental, Miami’s new restaurant concept launching at the end of the year. Chef Oka’s new menu will celebrate the authentic and diverse flavors of Peruvian gastronomy, ranging from upscale novo-Andean fare to Asian-Peruvian fusion and traditional seafood cebiche.
The rising star chef has earned widespread acclaim with a culinary career that spans North and South America. Most recently, Chef Oka worked at La Mar Cebicheria in the culinary mecca of San Francisco, where he was named the winner of 7×7 Magazine’s “Your City Your Chef” 2013 competition. Throughout his 13 years working alongside celebrity chef Gaston Acurio, Oka has also worked at La Mar locations in Peru and Colombia, among other countries.
“Diego Oka is an incredibly talented chef, who has been a vital member of our team and a devoted contributor to the success of La Mar restaurants,” said Gaston Acurio. “Given his achievements in the international culinary scene, Chef Oka’s eclectic menu is sure to captivate the palates of local residents, visitors and food enthusiasts alike shaping Miami’s burgeoning gastronomic landscape.”
Blending personal experiences and his Japanese roots into his cuisine, Oka draws on influences ranging from his grandmother’s cooking in Peru to the food he discovered while living in Mexico and Colombia.
“Miami’s appetite for international cuisine and abundance of fresh ingredients drive me in the process of creating a vibrant new menu for La Mar,” said Oka. “I am extremely excited to share the flavors and culture of Peru with this vibrant and dynamic city.”
A native of Peru, Chef Oka received his degree in Culinary Studies from the Universidad San Ignacio de Loyola in Lima.
About La Mar by Gaston Acurio
La Mar by Gaston Acurio will feature the acclaimed Peruvian cuisine of celebrity chef Gaston Acurio in a high-energy setting with dramatic water views of Biscayne Bay and the Miami skyline. Diners will be invited to explore the authentic and diverse flavors of Peruvian gastronomy, ranging from upscale novo-Andean fare to Asian-Peruvian fusion and traditional seafood cebiche. A contemporary design by Arquitectonica and interiors by Nathan/Pereira Arquitectura will offer a mix of indoor and outdoor seating with three lively bars providing distinctive culinary experiences and a personal look into the creation of signature cebiches, freshly grilled anticuchos and specialty cocktails.
ABOUT MANDARIN ORIENTAL, MIAMI
Contemporary in design and with a prominent waterfront location, the luxurious Mandarin Oriental, Miami features 326 elegant guest rooms and suites – offering dramatic views of the bay and the Miami skyline. Amenities include two high-energy restaurants, M-Bar – a dynamic cocktail lounge and martini bar, an award-winning tri-level spa, Oasis Beach Club, the luxury boutique Shanghai Tang and extensive meeting and business facilities.
ABOUT MANDARIN ORIENTAL HOTEL GROUP
Mandarin Oriental Hotel Group is the award-winning owner and operator of some of the most luxurious hotels, resorts and residences. The Group has grown from a well-respected Asian hotel company into a global brand and now operates, or has under development, 45 hotels representing over 11,000 rooms in 26 countries, with 20 hotels in Asia, 11 in The Americas and 14 in Europe, Middle East and North Africa. In addition, the Group operates or has under development, 13 Residences at Mandarin Oriental connected to its properties.
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