Caf'e Havana GM Brings Years of Expertise to Guam

Vamos a Comer y Bailar - Come Let Us Eat & Dance

. October 14, 2008

TUMON, Guam, June 16, 2008. Caf'e Havana Guam's general manager, David Lee-Sang, couldn't be happier about his new venture and brings an impressive resume of academic and hands on experience, coupled with an extensive family history in the industry to Guam's first Cuban restaurant. With construction now well under way and the expertise of Lee-Sang added to the mix, the island excitedly awaits the grand opening of Caf'e Havana Guam later this month.

Lee-Sang recently relocated to Guam from Saipan where he was operations manager and executive chef of Hard Rock Saipan. "I was part of a great team whose accomplishments were many. Saipan Hard Rock was rated consistently either the best or one of top three stores worldwide by the HRC Corporate Head Office," said Lee-Sang, "Many things we introduced there were taken on board by Head Office and used in stores worldwide to improve operations. Example, we were the first to deviate from the strict corporate menu, which at that time was never done, with lengthy research, development and approval. It proved to be very successful with the customers and needless to say very profitable for the owner."

Lee-Sang's experience with adding local flavor to an existing menu is a boon for Caf'e Havana Guam, which will feature an Asian flair to a typically Cuban cuisine. "Just thinking about the menus makes my mouth water," he said as he describes the food at Caf'e Havana Guam, "Where a fusion of the eclectic exotic tastes of Cuba fuses with wonders of Asian flavors to create a deliciously different culinary experience, I have named Cusion. I think it is wonderful that we're introducing dishes that further enhance and add to the culinary experiences available in Guam by skillful combining these wonderful foods to create our Cusion Cuisine."

While the tempting menu has Lee-Sang's taste buds excited, he is equally thrilled with the progress being made to renovate the former TJ's location at the Hyatt Regency Guam, where Caf'e Havana Guam will be located. Caf'e Havana Guam will have a unique look of its own, which Lee-Sang describes as "tastefully retro-contemporary," while paying homage to its sister restaurants in the Philippines with traditional Caf'e Havana d'ecor.

"The designers have done a great job recreating a retro look and feel of the 1950's and how a Havana restaurant would have looked and, by adding large flat TV screen, cool plates and glasses to name a few item, they introduce the contemporary side to the restaurant," said Lee-Sang.

Learning the business was relatively easy for Lee-Sang, whose family has been involved in the industry for nearly a hundred years. "My family has been in the bakery and catering businesses since the early 1900's in Jamaica and then in London, England," he said, "I helped in the business and cooking at home from a early age and my interest and skill grew from there. In our house it was not unusual to have 20 to 30 plus people around for sit down dinners. My dad and I would do most all the cooking. I loved it."

"I did my Culinary Degree and Restaurant Operations studies for five years at Westminster College in London, England. I have worked in many types of places as a chef in Europe, Micronesian and Jamaica and cooked for people like the Queen of England and Michael Jackson," Lee-Sang continued, "The Churchill Hotel where I worked for many years in the 80's is now a Hyatt Regency Hotel. So, I have come around full circle."

This is Lee-Sang's second time to call Guam home, having lived here in 1996 when his wife, Wendi, was resident manager of PIC. The family moved to Saipan when Lee-Sang's wife was promoted to general manager of PIC Saipan and he became part of SandCastle, which is where he met Caf'e Havana Guam's managing director, Richard Rennie. According to Lee-Sang, his whole family is happy to be back on Guam. "I love the island and the people. Guam has a lot to enjoy and look forward to. It's our home."

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