Chefs turn out for good cause

A ceviche delight.

Mark your calendar now for the exciting Fourth Annual Poipu Food & Wine Festival from Nov. 6-9. The Poipu Beach Foundation (PBF) in partnership with the Culinary Institute of the Pacific at Kauai Community College (KCC) and Hawaii Tourism Authority (HTA) will be hosting this highly anticipated festival on Kauai.

Three thrilling events make up the culinary calendar and include a chefs demonstration and farmer’s market, a series of hands-on cooking classes and an inaugural gala event that showcases the island’s best chefs side-by-side with future culinary leaders.

For starters, on Wednesday, Nov. 6 there is the Poipu Culinary Market & KCC Culinary Demonstration from 3:30 to 6 p.m.

The festival offers creative dishes. Photos courtesy of Poipu Food & Wine Festival.

On Thursday, Nov. 7 is In the Kitchen, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. with various classes.

Participate in a hands-on cooking class with some of Poipu’s top chefs in their own restaurants. On Saturday, Nov. 9 is the Poipu Paina, An Exquisite Epicurean Gala.

Participating chefs and restaurants in the Poipu Food & Wine Festival are Chef Shaden Sato (Halekulani Resort Oahu), Chef Wade Ueoka (MW Restaurant Oahu), Chef Mike Herrod (Club at Kukuiula), Chef Rafael Camarillo (Holo Holo Grill at Koloa Landing Resort), Chef Christian Garma (Eating House 1849), Chef Gabriel Balenzuela (Rumfire at Sheraton Resort), Chef Noelani Planas (Red Salt of Koa Kea Hotel), Chef Mark Arriola (Merriman’s Fish House), Chef Adam Cataluna (Keoki’s Paradise), Chef Pauline Lam (Grand Hyatt Resort), Chef Tom Iannucci (Pietro’s Poipu), Chef Jhonny Rey Montemayor (Marriott Kalapaki), Chef John Ferguson (Kalaheo Café), Pastry Chef Pauline Lam, Grand Hyatt Kauai Resort & Spa, Pastry Chef Shannon Tomacder (Contemporary Flavors) and Judy St. Claire of Lappert’s Ice Cream & Coffee.

Chef Wade Ueoka, Chef Mark Oyama and Chef Shaden Sato are spearheading the events. Photo by Lawrence Tabudlo

ENJOY THE FESTIVITIES

* Wednesday, Nov. 6, Poipu Culinary Market & KCC Culinary Demonstration from 3:30 to 6 p.m. The demonstration is free, savory plates are available for purchase with proceeds benefitting KCC’s Culinary Arts Program.

• Thursday, Nov. 7 is In the Kitchen, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. with various classes.

• On Saturday, Nov. 9 is the Poipu Paina, An Exquisite Epicurean Gala, benefitting d the Kauai Community College Culinary Arts Program happening. Tickets available pre-sale at $125 and $135 at the door, along with tables of 10 for $1,000 and a Gold Sponsorship for $3,000 that includes a semester of tuition for a selected KCC Culinary Arts student. A portion of the funds raised at the Gala help with the continued development of KCC’s Culinary Arts Program.

Information and tickets are available at poipufoodandwinefestival.com.