6 Events Worth Checking Out at the Hawai‘i Food & Wine Festival
Tickets are now available for the fifth Hawai‘i Food & Wine Festival.
Photo: Dane Nakama, Courtesy of Hawai‘i Food & Wine Festival
The Halekūlani Hotel provided a sneak preview Monday, April 13 of the food and festivities that will take center stage later this year at the fifth Hawaiʻi Food & Wine Festival.
Some of the Hawai‘i chefs who cooked for the official launch party included Shep Gordon, serving his Maui onion and ginger soup, and Mark “Gooch” Noguchi who prepared a Ni‘ihau lamb dish that drew diners back for seconds.
Tickets for the 2015 Hawai‘i Food & Wine Festival went on sale Monday night and, if the sell-outs of previous years are any indication, you’ll want to scoop up your tickets as soon as possible.
This year’s festival kicks off with Neighbor Island events starting on Aug. 29 (see hawaiifoodandwinefestival.com for full details), and arrives in O‘ahu Sept. 10 through Sept. 13.
Here are the O‘ahu events we’re looking forward to—ranging from an exclusive, $1,000-a-head dinner to a fun, $5 family day:
Chopstix & Cocktails, at The Modern Honolulu
Thursday, Sept. 10
If you dig cocktails, this is the event for you, with mixologists from around the world concocting creative drinks that will pair perfectly with Asian-inspired dishes from esteemed international chefs.
5 to 9 p.m., tickets $225 to $325, VIP $500
Fifth Annual Halekūlani Culinary Masters Gala Series: Indulge
Friday, Sept. 11
Five master chefs stage an intimate evening in which fine wines are paired with gourmet delicacies containing caviar, foie gras, wagyu and even gold. Join Vikram Garg, of the Halekūlani Michael Ginor, of Hudson Valley Foie Gras, NY; Jun Kurogi, of Kurogi, Bukyo, Japan; Michael Mina, of Mina; and Janice Wong, 2am:dessertbar, Singapore for an exclusive dining experience.
5 to 10 p.m., tickets $1,000
Keiki in the Kitchen: Food, Fitness & Fun
Saturday, Sept. 12
At this all-day family event, keiki will have an opportunity to meet and take photos with celebrity chefs, watch live chef demonstrations, enjoy foods from Hawai‘i’s best food trucks, participate in fitness and friendly physical challenges and enjoy live entertainment. Featured chefs include William Chen, of fresh BOX.
9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., tickets $5
Corks & Forks Pacific Coast
Saturday, Sept. 12
This event celebrates 20 coveted red wines from the Pacific Coast on the rooftop of the Hawai‘i Convention Center, along with gourmet tastings from 20 celebrity chefs, everyone from Ed Kenney, of Town, to Martin Yan, of Yan Can Cook. If reds aren’t your thing, not to worry—there’ll also be craft cocktails, specialty beers and white wines on offer. Also happening: an exclusive silent auction and an art exhibit.
5 to 9 p.m., tickets $225 to $325, VIP $500
Battle of the Brunch Showdown II
Sunday, Sept. 13
Three teams will be asked to use the highest quality local products to create an innovative and delicious brunch dish. Guests will then vote for their favorite, and the winner will emerge victorious. This is the second Showdown, so reigning showdown winners Lee Anne Wong and Sven Ullrich will be back to defend their title. Morning cocktails from Southern Wine & Spirits Hawai‘i.
Hyatt Regency Waikīkī Beach Resort & Spa, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., tickets $115
Beauty & the Feast
Sunday, Sept. 13
This event, the finale of the Food and Wine Festival, kicks off with craft cocktails, specialty beers and wines from renowned vintners, served outdoors at Ko Olina. Then, 12 celebrity chefs will cook up spectacular dishes, for a feast fit for a king.
Ko Olina Resort with Aulani, 5 to 9 p.m., tickets $250 to $350, VIP $500
For a full listing of all the celebrity chefs who will be participating, and to purchase tickets, please visit hawaiifoodandwinefestival.com.
