BUMPED into Philana Bouvier at Neiman’s Espresso Bar on Saturday and learned she has two big days coming up soon. The first is her 36th birthday Tuesday, and the second is Aug. 1, her first anniversary as exec VP and general manager of Young’s Market Co. of Hawaii, formerly known as Better Brands. Philana is called a powerhouse in high heels. She is only 5 feet but stands tall in a big job. She is the first wahine to be GM of the company.
Young’s is a leading wholesale distributor of wine, spirits and selected beverages, operating six facilities throughout the state with a workforce of more than 160 employees.The company represents a portfolio of more than 250 suppliers and 1,500 brands here.Philana said she is heavily focused on her employees. In these days when many companies are laying off workers, Philana has been hiring. She has created 21 new positions, given 15 promotions, increased sales incentives for the sales teams and provided salary increases. CEO and fourth-generation owner Chris Underwood said she increased revenue in 2011 by 10.5 percent. Philana has two birthday celebrations planned. One at Auberge de Soleil in Napa Valley, Calif., and another in Honolulu, catching a movie and enjoying Vietnamese food with girlfriends. She’s single, fellas. …
YOUNG’S MARKET is sponsoring the cocktail reception at the Kahala Hotel before the James Beard Foundation dinner Aug. 12. Young’s master sommelier Patrick Okubo will be overseeing the wine pairings for the dinner and wine for the reception. The dinner is a major highlight of Bon Appetit!, a monthlong tribute starting Aug. 1 to honor America’s late, great French food expert Julia Child. It celebrates what would have been her 100th birthday, which falls on Aug. 15. Many food events are scheduled. …
RANDY SCHOCH, his wife, Cheri, and daughter, Victoria, are back in Hawaii for their annual summer visit from Scottsdale, Ariz. Ruth’s Chris Steak House and Wine Enthusiast magazine will host a "90+ Wine Dinner" Aug. 23 at Waterfront Plaza on Oahu, at the Lahaina and Wailea locations on Maui, and at Mauna Lani on Hawaii island. Randy holds the Ruth’s Chris franchise in Hawaii. …
DANCING ON: Judy Muncaster, development director for Ballet Hawaii, is back from New York where she saw former student Sabrina Ocasio in the American Ballet Theatre’s production of "Le Cosaire" at Lincoln Center.Amy left Honolulu two years ago to study at the Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis School at American Ballet Theatre. "The performance of ‘Le Cosaire’ was bittersweet as it was the final appearance of Ethan Stiefel, who is among the greatest male dancers America has produced," Judy said. You may remember him in the movie "Centerstage," which also starred local girl Amanda Schull.Ethan leaves New York for the New Zealand Ballet, where he is now artistic director.
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Ben Wood, who sold newspapers on Honolulu streets in World War II, writes of people, places and things. Email him at bwood@staradvertiser.com.
