Q. What are you reading?

A. The most recent book I read was "Eat, Pray, Love" by Elizabeth Gilbert. I just finished it and I really enjoyed it.

Q. How did you discover it?

A. My background in this industry started off in the kitchen, so I'm always looking for books that have a connection to food — novels and nonfiction that have food in it — particularly if it's with great imagery and description. I'd heard from friends that this book had those elements.

Q. What did you like about it?

A. I loved a few elements — definitely the imagery of the food and how food played into this woman's very personal journey, and also the very unique culinary elements of Italy and India and Indonesia, which offered such a great contrast. I liked how she made the connection of those environments and those foods with her own personal journey.

Q. Does this impart ideas about how to connect Kahala resort guests to this place?

A. I think everywhere I've had the pleasure of working — Portugal most recently before here — it's about making that connection with a visitor or local customer through the very social dynamic of eating and coming together with family, friends, or lovers, if you will, and breaking bread. ... So, through the different restaurants, menus and decor we've tried to fold that in, whether a very feminine, traditional afternoon tea on The Veranda or something more elaborate like our Food and Wine Classic we kicked off in June and another happening now, that brings some of these wonderful culinary elements from around the world to Honolulu and to an environment that's all about relaxing and immersing yourself and discovering new tastes and smells.