Disclaimer: The following represents the views of myself only and should in no way reflect upon or be interpreted as the opinion of any past, present or future employers.Dear Yelpers,Your elite status on Yelp DOES NOT entitle you to ANY…
Being a beerophile on an island in the middle of the Pacific means that unless you’re willing travel or patronize the gray market, you are limited to whatever local distributors choose to bring into the state.A lot of great beers…
I was treated to a Halloween season treat when I was invited to sample some of the new items on the Shokudo menu.The new dishes are only a preview of what’s to come. Shokudo plans to begin patio service in…
Chef Mark Noguchi and a few Kapolei High students offered a preview of the Calabash & Cooks fundraiser that benefits the Malama Learning Center.Twenty guests were invited to Taste in Kaka‘ako to sample plantation-era-inspired dishes created by Noguchi and his student…
In preparation for its official opening, MW Restaurant — with married chefs Wade Ueoka and Michelle Karr-Ueoka at the helm — invited friends and family for a look and taste of what’s on the menu at the Kapiolani Boulevard eatery,…
Food can do a lot of things. It can inspire passion, strengthen family bonds, and unite us as a community. These are the themes addressed in the documentary “Spinning Plates,” which screened Monday night at the Hawaii Theater Center.The film…
The Hawaii International Film Festival’s annual EuroCinema Awards lured lots of stars to the Moana Surfrider for Friday night’s posh gala. Among those in attendance were actors Kelly Hu, Henry Ian Cusick and Daniel Dae Kim. “Glee’s” Harry Shum Jr.…
The foodie film, “Final Recipe,” staring Michelle Yeoh, Henry Lau and Chin Han, made its American premiere during the opening night of this year’s Hawaii International Film Festival. The story revolves around an internationally televised cooking competition, which shares its…
The Hawaii International Film Festival officially kicked off Thursday night with an opening night reception at the Halekulani and screenings of the Hayao Miyazaki anime feature, “The Wind Rises,” and the foodie film, “Final Recipe.”Here’s a look at some at…
The similarities between “God of Ramen” and last year’s film festival hit, “Jiro Dreams of Sushi” are obvious from the outset. Although not as cinematic as “Jiro,” “God of Ramen” proves to be a far more compelling film.Both films tell…
It would not be HIFF if there wasn’t a Tamuera Morrison film. Screening at this year’s Hawaii International Film Festival is the period film, “Mt. Zion.”Although playing a supporting roll in this film, Morrison’s presence is still felt throughout the…
In my previous post about food films, I went on for probably too many paragraphs about what I didn’t like about the portrayal of food and the food industry in films. So, I thought to be fair, I’d revisit a…
As another Hawaii International Film Festival approaches, I found myself revisiting a lot of my favorite food films.About month ago, I realized that a majority of my favorite food films were either foreign or independent films.Apart from 2007’s “Ratatouille” and…
Over the weekend, chef Chris Kajioka welcomed two phenomenal chefs for a collaboration dinner at Vintage Cave. “Next Food Network Star” season 9 finalist Viet Pham of Forage Restaurant in Salt Lake City, and San Francisco’s Belinda Leong, pastry chef…
Although the Hawaii International Film Festival doesn’t officially begin until later this week, the festivities kicked off Saturday night at the Halekulani with the second annual China Night gala.Scheduled a week earlier to accommodate Chinese travelers in the islands for…
To kick off its first Hawaii Chinese language tourism book, 17Hawaii, Affinity China held a Modern Luau at The Modern Honolulu, with Chinese actor Hu Bing, performers from Germaine’s Luau and ukulele star Jake Shimabukuro. 17hawaii Launch Party ◄ Back…
There was a time when “gluten free” meant baked goods that resembled the flavor and texture of cardboard. However, gluten free baking has made several major strides in recent years, with gluten free ingredients readily available in most major markets.A…
After nearly three years of renovations, Bishop Museum welcomed donors and other VIPs for a preview of the new Pacific Hall. Formerly known as Polynesian Hall, the multimillion dollar renovation and restoration has added hands-on interactive displays and showcases artifacts…
After a week of phenomenal food by 75 of the best chefs from around the world, it proved difficult to pick the best of the best dishes and moments. Spread over 17 events, chefs continuously wowed attendees, resulting in a…
Although the events take place on Oahu this week, the festival itself kicked off with a special, open-air, open-kitchen dinner at the Hyatt Regency Maui over the weekend. Hawaii Food & Wine on Maui ◄ Back Next ► Picture 1…
Brewmaster George Reisch literally grew up around beer. A fifth-generation brewmaster, Reisch’s family operated the Reisch Brewing Co. for 117 years. During his career, he worked for Schlitz and Miller before finally finding a home at Anheuser-Busch.With a brewing pedigree…
To publicize his new cookbook, “Hashcapades,” Clark Haass has started the ambitious undertaking to have a hash party in 50 cities around the world.Thus far, Hashcapades parties have been held in Cincinnati, Edinburgh, Los Angeles, Portland, Raleigh, San Diego, San…
People gathered at the Bishop Museum lawn Saturday evening to posthumously honor Sen. Daniel K. Inouye.Inouye’s wife, Irene Hirano, accepted the award for her late husband amid hula and ha‘a performances by native Hawaiian cultural practitioners.Aside from the fundraising aspect…
I’ve been trying to figure out which is the best food street in Honolulu. There are a lot of candidates, including Bethel Street, Kapahulu, Nu‘uanu and Waialae avenues to name a few. Whenever I go to San Francisco, I always…
Fans of “The Lion King” started lining up at 11 p.m. Friday night to get their tickets for the touring Broadway show that will begin its eight-week engagement at Blaisdell Concert Hall on January 14, 2014 and run through March…
This weekend, GreenWheel Food Hub partners with Salt Bar & Kitchen, Naked Cow Dairy, Hawaiian Vodka, Tante’s Bakery and Kako‘o‘oiwi to bring a “Preservation Celebration” to Kaka‘ako.The four-day event started Thursday with the opening of their pop-up food shoppe at…
Summer has come with it’s cool breezeWhere the broad ocean leans against the Spanish land.A gentle smell, oceanic, of yummy feelingMellow serenades of colors licorice and orangeSitting on top of the dune, feeling of beach sand under my toesThe half…
There’s no better way to begin a week than with a Whiskey & Whisky tasting.Held at the Trump Hotel Waikiki, liquor distributor Young’s Market showcased its portfolio of blended, straight, Irish, Kentucky, Canadian and Scotch whiskeys.Some of the great whiskeys…
Mango season is in full swing, which means that it’s time once again for Mangoes at the Moana.All things mango were available at the Moana Surfrider Saturday. Guests were greeted with mango-infused water in the hotel lobby before partaking in…
Who has the best burger in Honolulu? It’s a debate that recently flared up, after The Whole Ox Deli, with new chef Justin Yu, revamped its burger and some foodies named it the island’s best. For many, the matter simply…
“Where’s Sheldon?” That’s been the question on everyone’s mind after news that “Top Chef: Seattle” standout Sheldon Simeon had left Star Noodle on Maui.I was able to catch up with Simeon for an interview while he was in Honolulu for…
To celebrate Military Appreciation Day, Whiskey Dix Saloon held a Stars, Stripes & Bikinis party on Friday. Aside from the usual two-stepping, square dancing and giant Jenga, the highlight of the evening was the Stars and Stripes bikini contest, hosted…
Jim Beam’s master distiller, Frederick “Fred” Booker Noe III has had a busy week in Hawaii meeting with Bourbon fans and conducting tastings at various locations around Honolulu.We were able to catch up with Noe this week at tasting events…
12th Avenue Grill celebrated American craft beer week with a tasting dinner featuring brews from Maui Brewing Co. Ballast Point, Brewery Ommegang, Deschutes, Sierra Nevada and FiftyFifty.Also on the menu were locally grown meats, including Maui Cattle Co. beef, rabbit…
This past weekend, I had a great opportunity to stay at the Travaasa Hana hotel and cover the first ever Spring Harvest dinner featuring Travaasa chef, Barry Villiarimo, guest chefs, Sheldon Simeon and Mark Noguchi, along with barman, Dave Power.Neither…
Chefs Sheldon Simeon, Mark Noguchi and Barry Villiarimo shared their combined their creative cooking talents for a tasting dinner held at Travaasa Hana’s turn-of-the-century Plantation Guest House.The event, which benefited Mahele Farm and the Hana Youth Center, featured six course…
Wet weather didn’t discourage Sheldon Simeon of “Top Chef: Seattle,” Mark Noguchi of Pili Hawaii and Dave Power of the Feral Pig from visiting Mahele Farm in Hana, Maui.Farm manager, Mikala Minn guided Simeon, Noguchi and Power through an eclectic…
Tickets are now on sale for the third annual Hawai‘i Food & Wine Festival, with an amazing lineup of chefs and events for September.From now until Aug. 23, event tickets are available at a discounted rate, so be sure to…
Fourteen amateur cooks gathered at Waimalu Shopping Plaza Saturday for Shiroma’s Wine and More annual Country Stew Cook-Off. Part of the Picnic at the Plaza event was to raise awareness for Talk About Curing Autism (TACA).This was the second year…
We had a chance to talk to John “Prime” Hina, founder and program director of 808 Urban, a nonprofit organization that mentors local youth through urban arts and cultural education. The Kaka’ako group has been involved in numerous community mural…
Just Tacos has long been known for its extensive selection of tequilas, and owner Jesus Santoyo will now be able to add his own label to the shelf.Starting Monday, Santoyo’s Grand Leyenda (Grand Legend) tequila, made in honor of his…
One of the things that makes sustainable ranching so difficult in Hawaii is finding an outlet for less desirable cuts of meat. Many hotels, restaurants and markets will only take the prime cuts, but what about the rest of the…
Last Year, for an April Fool’s Day blog post, I wrote about a botanist living on the Big Island who created a pog fruit though plant grafting. This story was complete fiction, but little did I know that I was…
The Royal Hawaiian on Sunday held its first in a series of tweetups for the local online community.The hotel invited a small group to visit Surf Lanai to try its Sunday brunch, which was introduced last July. After, I got…
A sold-out crowd packed into the Republik for a one-night-only concert by the popular Celtic punk group from New England, the Dropkick Murphys.Known for encouraging audience participation during their shows, band members interacted with the crowd throughout the performance, and…
I had a chance to talk to Lynette Pflueger of Chef Mavro, who recently was named one of 50 nominees for Food & Wine Magazine’s The People’s Best New Pastry Chef, which is voted for by readers.We discussed past and…
On Friday, Grand Chef Kenichiro Tanaka of the Imperial Hotel Tokyo will be presenting a one-night, sakura-themed dinner at La Mer at Halekulani, featuring cherry blossom paste and salt-cured cherry blossoms that Tanaka imported from Japan.“When I left Japan, cherry…
Last year, I wrote a post about a botanist who created a pog fruit. This story was created as an April Fool’s Day prank. However, the key to any good lie is that it contains a grain of truth. While researching…
Okay, it’s time for a lesson in fluid dynamics or the science of fluids (both liquids and gases) in motion.While visiting the culinary program at Kapiolani Community College to get some behind-the-scenes coverage of preparations for the annual Ho’okipa fundraiser,…
Chef Casey Barnes, who won the job as executive chef at Ola at Turtle Bay on “Chef Wanted with Anne Burrell,” has been at work for well over a month and seems to be transitioning well to life in Hawaii.I…
