Meet the Man Behind Oao
Chef Bernardo "JR" Oao's journey to culinary success is a testament to hard work, determination, and the power of pursuing one's dreams. Beginning his career in the kitchen as a dishwasher, JR's passion was ignited by a simple yet profound goal: to become a sushi chef. With an unwavering vision, he spent years honing his skills, learning the craft, and working his way up the kitchen ranks. Amid the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic, Chef JR took a bold leap of faith. In January 2022, he opened his own food truck, a small but powerful step toward realizing his dream. Just months later, in November of the same year, he proudly opened his first brick-and-mortar restaurant in Wailea. What started as a humble vision has now blossomed into a thriving business, all driven by JR's passion, resilience, and commitment to sharing his love of sushi with the world.