Mark Noguchi
School: Punahou School
Career: Chef, Co-Founder of The Pili Group
Mark Noguchi, better known as “Chef Gooch,” has been cooking for Hawaiʻi for the past 20 years. He has opened multiple restaurants over the course of his career, such as Taste Table, Heʻeia Kea Pier General Store & Deli, and Mission House (He was also a featured chef for Hawaiian Airlines.)
But in 2016, Gooch reached what he considers his rock bottom. Doctors had diagnosed his mom with Stage 4 pancreatic cancer, giving her less than four months to live. Understandably, Gooch became mad at the world.
Work became too overwhelming. Employees started to leave. Ultimately, Gooch and his wife Amanda decided to close all of his restaurants and go to therapy.
At a point where nothing seemed to be going for him, Gooch chose to use the time as a chance for a fresh start. He and his wife decided to start the Pili Group, a catering company devoted to bringing food, education and community together.
+ Advice from Mark Noguchi
Don't quit. You gotta see it through the hard times. Those will be your greatest moments of growth.
