Feast of the Islands
Hawaii Food & Wine Festival marries island tradition & bold flavor
E picureans and oenophiles take note! It’s always a good time to visit Oahu, but the Hawaii Food & Wine Festival in early November gives you even more reason to jet off to the island. Spread across various venues in Honolulu, this upscale culinary carnival includes cooking demonstrations, exclusive dining opportunities, wine tastings and one-of-a-kind excursions that highlight local farmers, fishermen and ranchers. And you can get up close and personal with rising stars and celebrity chefs from all over the world, culinary masters from the U.S., Australia, Britain, Japan, China and South Korea.
The festival kicks off with “Raw & Wild in the Tank,” an event that underscores the marvelous dishes that contemporary chefs can create from the raw, wild and sustainable ingredients foraged, fished and found in and around the Hawaiian Islands. Nov 1, 4-7 p.m.; Our Kakaako, 440 Keawe St.; $95 per person. The following day you can wander through the “Spice Market” on the sunset and sunrise pool decks of The Modern Honolulu hotel while tasting the offerings of 13 chefs inspired by the flavors of Asia’s Silk Road. Nov 2, 6-9 p.m.; The Modern Honolulu, 1775 Ala Moana Blvd.; $225-$325 per person.
Friday, the feast continues with “Steamy Bowls,” an afterparty like no other. Ramen, pho and other noodles take center stage when amazing chefs put their personal touches on soupy late-night favorites … served with cocktails, of course. Nov 3, 9 p.m.-1 a.m.; Hyatt Regency Waikiki, 2424 Kalakaua Ave; $95-$125 per person.
As the sun sinks over the Pacific, 12 master chefs will use their imagination and ingredients grown, raised or caught in the islands to create inspired by the year itself. “Taste of the
Seasons” offers a choice of tasting stations or a five-course, sit-down dinner prepared by Michelle Bernstein, Jose Garces, Hubert Keller, Richard Rosendale and Nancy Silverton. For dessert? Think fireworks over the beach. Nov 4, 6-9 p.m.; Ko Olina Resort, 92-1480 Ali’inui Dr. in Kapolei; $250-$500.
Kicking off the festival’s final day, “Keiki in the Kitchen” is a family event that explores sustainability and stewardship of Mother Earth through the eyes of farmers and voyagers. The fun includes celebrity chef cooking demonstrations, the Localicious Recipe Contest (grades 4-8 and 9-12), tales of the Mlama Honua global outrigger voyage, and decorating cupcakes with Ace of Cakes star Duff Goldman. Nov 5, 9 a.m.3 p.m.; Bishop Museum, 1525 Bernice St.; $5 per person.