Mara Restaurant & Bar

Minneapolis native and James Beard Award-winning Chef Gavin Kaysen has significantly shaped the city’s culinary scene through beloved establishments like Spoon and Stable, Bellecour Bakery and Demi. His latest venture, Mara Restaurant and Bar, showcases his passion for Mediterranean-inspired cuisine in an exciting collaboration with Four Seasons Hotel Minneapolis. This partnership marks a full circle moment for Chef Gavin, who previously opened Café Boulud at Four Seasons Hotel Toronto alongside Chef Daniel Boulud, and further enriches the local dining landscape with another celebrated Gavin Kaysen’s restaurant in Minneapolis.

Chef de Cuisine Thony Yang brings passion, perseverance and refined culinary talent to Mara Restaurant and Bar at Four Seasons Hotel Minneapolis. A graduate at the top of his culinary class, Thony honed his skills alongside acclaimed chefs in Chicago before returning home to the Twin Cities, where he made his mark working closely with Chef Gavin Kaysen at Spoon and Stable, Bellecour, and Demi. Now leading Mara’s kitchen, Thony blends precise technique with genuine warmth, creating memorable dining experiences rooted in his multicultural journey.

Originally from Madison, Wisconsin, Eric Lockard discovered his passion for cooking when a memorable fine dining experience sparked a curiosity that never left. After earning an accounting degree and working in sales, he pivoted to pursue his true calling, attending Saint Paul College’s culinary program. Eric joined the opening team at Mara Restaurant and Bar in Minneapolis, a Mediterranean restaurant by Gavin Kaysen located at Four Seasons Hotel Minneapolis. Working his way through every station – from garde manger to grill – he now serves as sous chef, contributing to seasonal menu development inspired by global food traditions. His spring pansotti, crafted with pine nuts and chard, is a fresh take on a classic, reflecting his thoughtful, ingredient-driven approach to Mediterranean cuisine.