MosJan Posted September 25, 2001 Report Share Posted September 25, 2001 George M. Mardikian 1976 Omar Khayyam's RestaurantFood Consultant and OwnerSan Francisco, CA George Mardikian was born in Papert, Armenia. His father was killed by Turks seeking to exterminate the Armenians and at age 15, he ran away from home to join an Armenian guerrilla force. When Armenia’s independence was recognized, he returned to his mother in Constantinople only to be captured by the Turks when war broke out again. He escaped from a prison camp and his brother and sister who had immigrated to America, sent money for his passage there. He arrived in New York City in 1922 and traveled by train to San Francisco. He worked washing dishes in a restaurant and at Compton’s Cafeteria. In 1928, he signed on as a steward on a round-the-world cruise ship. During his travels, he would take any type of job he could get under famous chefs to learn their techniques and recipes. Back in Fresno, California, he opened his first restaurant, Omar Khayyam’s in 1932. He then opened two more restaurants and a chain of sandwich shops. From 1942 to 1954, he served as an expert food consultant to the U.S. Army. He received commendations from Presidents Hoover, Truman, and Eisenhower for the conservation and improvement of army food. Mardikian was involved with the Boy Scouts for more than 61 years and founded the American National Committee to Aid Homeless Armenians. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
edward demian Posted September 27, 2001 Report Share Posted September 27, 2001 He paid for my plane ticket to the US. We repaid the money, but will never be able to repay the favor.He was also a General in the US Army. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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