Down The Hatch Adds Chef de Cuisine Jorge Perez to Kitchen Team in Lahaina

Down The Hatch Maui welcomes Chef de Cuisine Jorge “Nacho” Perez to help manage alongside Executive Chef Alvin Savella at the Lahaina eatery.

“We are excited to welcome the experienced chef among our ranks. Perez worked with the Old Lahaina Lūʻau for more than 20 years, working in prep, as a line cook and working his way to Kitchen Manager. With life-changing drastically over 2020 due to COVID, it was time for Jorge to make a change,” according to a restaurant announcement.

Originally from Mexico City and a die-hard Chicago Bears Fan, Perez has been on Maui for more than 30 years and currently resides in Wahikuli with wife Frella and children. 

Perez expresses his passion for cooking coming from his father, and his love for traditional Mexican cuisine. Learning the techniques of traditional cooking was a passion and he has been able to take these skills and apply them to the local cuisine that he has prepared while on Maui.

“With his new role Down The Hatch, he is looking forward to creating and expressing his favorite Mexican style while working with the Southern Aloha cuisine that DTH is known for,” according to the announcement.

“Working with Chef Alvin to learn, create, test different ideas and tastes for the DTH Menu and Catering is a thrilling opportunity,” said Perez. “I’m excited to grow and learn from Chef’s culinary experience and understand more about his style. It’s exciting to think about the creation of different foods than I’m used to and to form new culinary expressions.”