Recently recognized as a 2008 Favorite Vegetarian Restaurant in the VegNews, Tucker is the creative force behind the restaurant's success. Tucker's cooking style embraces traditional concepts along with unique interpretations of ethnic cuisine. He eschews dairy products, eggs, oil, or other high-fat animal products, but his dishes have been praised for their innovative combinations and unexpectedly rich flavors. Tucker states, "Our food is a celebration – our food is exciting because we pay as much attention to flavor, texture, and visual appeal as we do to the food's healthful qualities. Down here in the kitchen, we do what we do out of love of food and love for the creative process." Tucker is passionate about the health benefits of following a vegetarian or near vegetarian diet. "My mission is to show the public that you don't have to compromise flavor and texture as you cut out harmful, high-fat animal products and oil. At Millennium we definitely dispel the stereotypes and misconceptions held by many about low-fat and vegan cuisine." Hale ‘Aina ‘Ohana in cooperation with the Halekulani presents Vegetarian Cooking: Sunday March 15 – Halekulani Brunch Program from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. ($75 for lecture, cookbook and brunch) Call: 931 5040 for reservations Monday March 16 from noon to 2 p.m. – Kapiolani Community College program student program Tuesday March 17 from 2:30 to 4:30 p.m. – Maui Community College program student program