Four Seasons Resort Hualalai

Four Seasons Resort Hualalai has added another star to its galaxy of talent with the appointment of Nick Mastrascusa as Chef de Cuisine of Beach Tree, the beachfront restaurant and lounge at the AAA Five Diamond resort. Celebrated in New York City as Chef de Cuisine of 57, the stylish restaurant at Four Seasons Hotel New York, Chef Mastrascusa will oversee all culinary aspects of Beach Tree.

Mastrascusa comes to Four Seasons Resort Hualalai with extensive experience at luxury hotels and restaurants. Prior to his tenure at Four Seasons Hotel New York, he honed his culinary talents at the Biltmore Hotel, Coral Gables, and The Ritz-Carlton, Palm Beach, both in Florida. He also opened Hoquart 2000 Restaurant in Montevideo, Uruguay, where he grew up and played on the national soccer team. A graduate of the Culinary Arts programme at Johnson & Wales University in Miami, Florida, Nick credits his grandparents, who immigrated to Uruguay from Spain and Sicily, for inspiring his passion for cooking.

"Both my grandmothers always welcomed friends and family into their homes for casual but delicious meals," said Mastrascusa. "The new Beach Tree will have that same familiar, warm and welcoming environment for our resort guests."

"We personally sought out Nick because of his professional reputation and congenial personality, and we are delighted to bring him to the Big Island," said Robert Whitfield, General Manager, Four Seasons Resort Hualalai. "His talent in the kitchen, combined with the enhancements we're making throughout the restaurant, will transform the Beach Tree into the place where guests will come to relax, celebrate success and create memories with family and friends."

Just steps from the ocean, Beach Tree will offer al fresco dining by day and a lively lounge scene by night. Chef Mastrascusa will use fresh, artisanal and, for the most part, local ingredients to create dishes that are Italian with California and tropical touches - everything from signature pizzas and pastas to mango gazpacho. "I'm amazed by the high quality and range of produce that is grown on the Big Island," said Chef Mastrascusa. "I'm just beginning to explore all the possibilities."

Currently in the final stages of renovation, the restaurant will reopen in August as part of the USD 40-million resort enhancement. Designed by Michael Booth, co-founder of the internationally acclaimed San Francisco-based design firm BAMO (formerly Babey Moulton Jue & Booth), Beach Tree's new interior and exterior spaces and 16-foot (5-metre) vaulted ceilings will create an ambience of bringing the outside in. Richly textured wood tables, upholstered cushions and blue tones will connect the restaurant with ocean and sky. Outdoors, trellis seating with awnings will invite comfortable al fresco dining; a thatched roof will lend a casual Hawaiian feel to the bar. In the lounge, guests will relax on overstuffed sofas and chairs.


Hotel Press Contact

Ciro Tacinelli
Director of Marketing
72-100 Ka`upulehu Drive
Kailua-Kona, Hawaii, U.S.A. 96740
T. 1 (808) 325-8005