Personal Life

Born in Portland and raised as a Cowboy on a ranch in Central Oregon, Malarkey developed a love for food and cooking at an early age. As the son of a single mother, he took on cooking duties at the ranch and fell in love with fresh seafood on the coast during summer breaks. After flunking out of the University of Portland—where his father candidly pointed out that his talents lay not in acting, but in hosting memorable gatherings with great food and delicious cocktails—he decided to pursue his passion for culinary arts by enrolling in Le Cordon Bleu in Portland.

Before opening his first restaurant, Malarkey honed his skills at the renowned Citrus in Hollywood, a restaurant famously featured on Lifestyles of the Rich and Famous. He had the privilege of working alongside culinary icon Julia Child at Citrus. This experience, set against the backdrop of a glass-box kitchen where celebrities often peered in, ignited his lifelong passion for the hospitality industry and made him feel like a rock star. Inspired by this journey, he titled his first and last cookbook “Come Early, Stay Late,” reflecting the cutthroat kitchen ethos of the day - working 75 hours while getting paid for 40.

He is the proud father of three teenagers: Hunter, Sailor, and Miles, and shares his life with his dynamic soulmate, Harley D. Splitting his time between San Diego and Central Oregon, his passion for cooking and culinary competitions continues to garner national attention. He thrives on the challenges and rewards of opening beautiful restaurants where diners can be swept away by shared meals, laughter, stories, and lasting memories.

Always eager to give back to the community, Malarkey has supported numerous organizations and nonprofits over the years, including Golden Rule Charity, Rady Children’s Hospital, Ronald McDonald House, Berry Good Food Foundation, Chimps Inc., Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation, Surfer’s Healing, and many others.