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26th Annual Hale Aina Awards

Each year, HONOLULU Magazine honors the best restaurants in the islands with a gala reception and celebration.  Hundreds of Hawaii's best chefs and restauranteurs will gather to learn in what award they have won. The annual Hale Aina Awards are announced for the first time at this gala celebration. 

The event is a celebration in every sense of the word. The award-winning restaurants are treated to some of the finest fare from their award-winning peers. It invites all guests to EAT, DRINK, MINGLE and REPEAT, which is our recipe to one good time.

Event Details:

Sunday, November 8, 2009
5 p.m. to 9:30 p.m.
Royal Hawaiian Monarch Ballroom & Ocean Lawn
2259 Kalakaua Ave in Waikiki

The event is divided into two main sections. First a V.I.P. Reception and Awards Presentation in the Monarch Ballroom for winning restaurants, invited guests and corporate sponsors.

Then the evening becomes a grazing event out on the Ocean Lawn.

See pictures from the event!

Click to watch interviews from the event Executive editor Kathryn Drury Wagner talks with three of the dynamic, award-winning chefs.
Peter Merriman of Merriman's Hawaii	Sean Priester (formerly of Top of Waikiki) with Soul Patrol	Chef Jon Matsubara of AZURE Restaurant

All of the restaurants who served at the event were Hale Aina Award GOLD Level winners from the previous year.

Hale Aina Awards Schedule:

V.I. P. RECEPTION ~ 5 p.m. to 5:45 p.m. (invitation only)

The event begins with a VIP Reception for the winning chefs and event sponsors in the Monarch Ballroom. Guests will be treated to selections from the host restaurant, Azure, with menu items from chef Jon Matsubara.

Kona Lobster & Kahuku Seaphire Carotene, Citrus, Horseradish & Avocado Wailua Asparagus and Alii King Mushroom Braised Veal, Foie Gras, Quail Egg, Liquid Parmesan, Yuzu Beurre Noisette

AWARDS PRESENTATION ~ 6 to 7 p.m. (invitation only)

Be there when the winners for the 2010 HONOLULU Magazine Hale Aina Awards are announced for the first time. Two of Hawaii's best restaurants will also treat all of our V.I.P. guests to a delectible appetizer and entree course that will be served during the awards.

	Alan Takasaki, Le Bistro Appetizer: Seared Diver Scallops with Corn & Parmesan
	Peter Merriman, Merriman's Hawaii Entree: JJ's Meat Garlic-Herb Marinated Big Island Filet Mignon, Hearts of Palm Puree, Roasted Hamakua Mushrooms, Green Beans, Tomato-Maui Onion-Marrow Jam

HALE AINA AWARDS CELEBRATION  ~ 7 to 9:30 p.m.

The time to celebrate! Enjoy sampling delicious selection from eight of the featured winning restaurants along with wine, beer and spirits from Hawaii's top distributors.  Congratulate and mingle with all of the award winners or enjoy live entertainment from Rocky Brown in the Monarch Ballroom courtesy of KUMU Lite 94.7 FM.

The event also featured a silent auction with 100% of the amount raised benefiting the Hale Aina Ohana, a culinary non-profit whose mission is to support culinary education in Hawaii.

The featured restaurants at the Celebration are:
	Alan Wong's Honolulu Braised Short Rib Foie Gras Pepper Sauce, Potato Gratin
	The Cheesecake Factory The Original Cheesecake & Godiva Chocolate Cheesecake
	Formaggio Wine Bar & Grill Seared Polenta Cake with Winter Pumpkin Ratatouille and Pumpkin Seed Pesto
	Hoku's at the Kahala Hotel & Resort Izakaya Style Menu: Ceviche Japanese Style Hawaiian Seafood, Avacado, Maui onions, Sea Asparagus, Ogo, Tomatoes, Sake & Bell Peppers Clams with Umeboshi Broth Carrot juice, Sake, Light soy sauce & Chinese parsley Butterfish with Miso Apricot glaze Shallots, Sake & Asian Slaw House Made Asian Gravlox Edamame, Blood Orange, Rice Vinegar, Sake & Shiso
	Mariposa Kamuela tomato crusted moi, squid ink risotto, pancetta, beet greens, & lilikoi brown butter
	Orchids at the Halekulani Kahuku Shrimp Ravioli Shimeji Mushrooms, Parmesan Sauce, Ogo Salad
	Roy's Restaurant Roy's Chocolate Souffle with Raspberry Sauce
	Tango Contemporary Cafe Asian Style Five Spiced Braised Beef Mashed Potato, Chili Fried Onion Rings

Beverages from: Better Brands, Koa Coffee Plantation, Steinlager Pure, Glaceau smartwater & vitaminwater, Paradise Beverages, Johnson Bros of Hawaii, JMD Beverages, The Cherry Co., KAI Vodka and Southern Wine & Spirits.  

This event would not be possible without the support of our sponsors:

V.I.P Reception Sponsor:		Venue Host:
Awards Sponsors:
Celebration Sponsors:
Beverage Sponsors:	V.I P. BEVERAGE SPONSOR	COFFEE SPONSOR	V.I.P. BEER SPONSOR
Event Partners:
	EVENT COORDINATOR - GOURMET EVENTS HAWAII

Table Sponsors:  HAGADONE PRINTING COMPANY,   HOTELS & RESORTS OF HALEKULANI, Y. HATA & CO. LIMITED

SEE PICTURES FROM THE EVENT

For more information on how to get involved with the Hale Aina Awards, call 808-534-7568 or e-mail haleainaawards@honolulumagazine.com.