George Mardikian | |
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Personal details | |
Born | George Magar Mardikian November 7, 1903 Bayburt, Ottoman Empire (now Turkey) |
Died | October 23, 1977 San Francisco, California, U.S. | (aged 73)
Resting place | Ararat Cemetery |
Political party | Republican Party (United States) |
Occupation | Restaurateur, chef, author |
Awards | Medal of Freedom |
Military service | |
Years of service | 1915–1920 |
Rank | Private |
Unit | Armenian Volunteer Regiment |
Battles/wars | World War I World War II Korean War |
George Magar Mardikian (Armenian: Ջորջ Մարտիկյան) (November 7, 1903 – October 23, 1977) was a Turkish-born American restaurateur, chef, author and philanthropist of Armenian heritage. In 1938, he opened Omar Khayyam's restaurant in San Francisco, California, which was open for more than 40 years.[1] He was important in popularizing Armenian cuisine in the United States.[2] Mardikian was the founder of ANCHA (American National Committee To Aid Homeless Armenians).[3] He is a nephew of Armenian revolutionary Krikor Amirian.