HONOLULU, HI, December 17, 2025 /24-7PressRelease/ -- Denecio Urias has been selected for inclusion in Marquis Who's Who. As in all Marquis Who's Who biographical volumes, individuals profiled are selected on the basis of current reference value. Factors such as position, noteworthy accomplishments, visibility, and prominence in a field are all taken into account during the selection process.

Currently serving as Chef de Cuisine at Kaimana Beach Hotel, Mr. Urias has established a reputation for expertise in recipe development, building operations and mentorship in the culinary landscape of Hawaii. Recognized for his encouraging, hands-on leadership style, he works closely with his team to train cooks, address operational details, and foster long-term improvement. His commitment to supporting and mentoring staff has resulted in many cooks under his guidance advancing to Chef or Sous Chef positions — a testament to his dedication to developing the next generation of culinary talent.

Prior to joining Kaimana Beach Hotel, Mr. Urias held the position of Executive chef at Mid-Pacific Country Club in Kailua, where he was responsible for overseeing kitchen operations and elevating both dining experiences and special events. From 2023 to 2025, he served as Chef de Cuisine at The Sky Renaissance, where he played a pivotal role in opening and managing the Renaissance Hotel's culinary program.

During this period, Mr. Urias also contributed to the launch of Mara, a Mediterranean restaurant operated by Table One Hospitality, which is a sister company to the Michael Mina Group. Under his leadership, Mara achieved remarkable recognition by winning the Hale 'Aina Silver Award from Honolulu Magazine within its first month of operation — a record-setting accomplishment that remains one of his proudest professional milestones due to the collaborative spirit and innovation demonstrated by his team.

In 2023, Mr. Urias worked as a Sous Chef at Liko's Tap and Table, further honing his skills in kitchen management and recipe development. He also gained front-of-house experience as a server at Cheeseburger in Paradise in Honolulu, broadening his understanding of restaurant operations while elevating the dining experience for patrons.

From 2021 to 2022, Mr. Urias was the Executive Chef at Stripsteak Waikiki, where he led culinary initiatives and maintained high standards for quality and service. During the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, he held a similar position at Aloha Beer Company, a local brewery where he adapted menus and operations to meet unprecedented challenges for both the business and its customers.

Mr. Urias' tenure with the Mina Group began in 2017, when he started as Executive Sous Chef before advancing to become Executive Chef in 2019. Notably, he oversaw the opening of Street Food Hall by Michael Mina — the company's first fast casual restaurant in Hawaii — which earned widespread acclaim and received the award for Best Burger on the Island, an accolade from Honolulu Magazine in 2019. He also managed a complex food hall that featured seven distinct restaurants within one building, deepening his expertise in operations and running systems.

Earlier in his journey, Mr. Urias excelled as the Kitchen Manager at Il Lupino Trattoria & Wine Bar as well as Wolfgang Steakhouse, developing foundational skills in team leadership and restaurant management while serving the Waikiki community. He began his career with positions as a kitchen trainer at California Pizza Kitchen from 2009 to 2013 and team member at Whole Foods Market from 2007 to 2015.

To augment his knowledge and qualifications in the kitchen, Mr. Urias was certified as a Culinarian by the Professional Culinary Institute in 2008. He is currently pursuing certification as an Executive Chef through the American Culinary Federation and aspires to achieve certified master chef status — one of the most prestigious designations in the field.

Happily married and a proud father, Mr. Urias values spending quality time with his family, reading, going to the gym, and caring for his pets as a balance to his culinary responsibilities. Reflecting on his storied journey thus far, he attributes his ongoing success to a relentless drive for self-improvement; inspired by his daughter, Larissa. He strives each day to set an example of hard work and dedication so she may have greater opportunities in the future.

In the coming years, Mr. Urias hopes to see his daughter achieve important educational milestones and seeks to lead a restaurant that allows him full creative focus in creating memorable dining experiences. He remains committed to earning further professional certifications and ultimately aims to achieve the gold medal distinction for Hale Aina Awards Island — a goal that continues to motivate him to reach higher standards of skill and professionalism throughout his remarkable ascension up the culinary ladder.

About Marquis Who's Who®:
Since 1899, when A. N. Marquis printed the First Edition of Who's Who in America®, Marquis Who's Who® has chronicled the lives of the most accomplished individuals and innovators from every significant field of endeavor, including politics, business, medicine, law, education, art, religion and entertainment. Who's Who in America® remains an essential biographical source for thousands of researchers, journalists, librarians and executive search firms around the world. The suite of Marquis® publications can be viewed at the official Marquis Who's Who® website, www.marquiswhoswho.com.

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