Hawaii Food & Wine Paradise

 

The Hawai‘i Food & Wine Paradise offers the best in food, wine, spirits, entertainment and fashion from May 21-24, 2009 at beautiful Ko Olina Resort and Waikiki. The event features 6 events over 4 days featuring 21 different chefs, 11 vineyards, 2 fashion designers and a mixologist. Fourteen of the chefs are from recent Hale Aina Award-winning restaurants including frequent winners like Chai Chaowasaree, Yves Garnier, Alan Takasaki and Kevin Hanney.

 Photo courtesy of Hawai‘i Food & Wine Paradise

Here is a brief overview of some of the events and the chefs and restaurants featured:

Paradise Food & Wine Showcase

Beef wellington. Photo courtesy of Hawai‘i Food & Wine Paradise.

Thursday, May 21st ~ 6:00 to 9:00 p.m. on the beautiful grounds of Lanikuhonua
Enjoy endless grazing showcasing luscious island produce, savory meats and seafood, and mouth-watering desserts accompanied by highly allocated fine wines and smooth spirits! Six award-winning chefs/restaurants will participate in the event. They are:

  • Chai Chaowasaree of Chai’s Island Bistro
  • Colin Nishida of Side Street Inn
  • Goran Streng of Tango
  • JJ Luangkhot of JJ French Pastry & Bistro
  • Ron de Guzman of Stage
  • Yves Garnier of La Mer
     

Guests can also enjoy wine tasting from 10 vineyards as well as spirits star/mixologist Julie Reiner.

Paradise Food & Wine Showcase event page.
 


Photo courtesy of Hawaii Food & Wine Paradise.

Pairings in Paradise

Friday, May 22nd ~ noon at the Marriott’s Ko Olina Beach Club (Ocean Lawn)
Featuring a four course luncheon by four celebrity chefs and their choice of wine pairings, along with pairings selected by the chefs’ panel moderator, chef Tim Love of the Lonesome Dove Western Bistro in Fort Worth, Texas. You’ll also have an opportunity to vote for your favorite pairings.

Hale Aina Award-winning chefs Ed Kenney of Town and Russell Siu of 3660 on the Rise will participate alongside two visiting chefs: Peter Pahk of Silverado Resort in Napa Valley and Diego Oka of La Mar in San Francisco & Mexico City.

Participating wineries include: Benessere Vineyards, Hidden Ridge Vineyard, Chanticleer, Delectus, Lucas & Lewellen, Chalk Hill Estate and Luna Vineyards.

Pairings in Paradise event page.
 


Photo courtesy of Hawai‘i Food & Wine Paradise

Paradise Beachside BBQ

Friday, May 22nd ~ 6:00 to 9:00 p.m. at Paradise Cove, Ko Olina Resort
Guests heap their plates with an array of old-fashioned favorites and new-fangled creations prepared by local and visiting celebrity chefs and wash it all down with choices of locally brewed beers and premium spirits. Be entertained by Hawaiian country western music, mesmerizing paniolo rope tricks and tales and dance. Hale Aina Award-winning chefs Darryl Shinogi of Roy’s Ko Olina, Kevin Hanney of 12th Ave Grill and Rodney Uyehara of Beachhouse at the Moana will participate with both visiting chefs Pahk and Oka and local chefs Scott Higa of the JW Marriott Ihilani Resort & Spa and Sean Priester of Top of Waikiki. Guests will also enjoy spirits from Julie Reiner.

Paradise Beachside barbeque event page.
 


 

Shrimp Canape. Photo by Gary Hofheimer Photography, courtesy of Hawai‘i Food & Wine Paradise.

Paradise Grand Finale

Saturday, May 23rd ~ Reception at 5:30 p.m., Dinner at 6:30 p.m.
Featuring the crème de la crème in the world of food, wine and entertainment at private oceanfront estate, Lanikuhonua. The award-winning chefs and superior vinters and spirit makers prepared and paired a delicious six-course dinner for your pleasure.

Hale Aina Award-winning Le Bistro chef Alan Takasaki and d.k. Restaurants chef D.K. Kodama will participate in the special finale dinner. Chef Chai Chaowasaree will present the hors d’oeuvres for the reception. Local chefs Fabrice Huet of the Four Seasons Resort, Lanai and Kelvin Ro of Diamond Head Market & Grill will also participate with visiting chefs Pahk and Oka to round out the rest of the dinner.

The event will also feature entertainment from Rocky Brown, Bop Tribal and a fashion show from local boutique, Fighting Eel.

Paradise Grand Finale event page
 


 

Chef Vikram Garg. Photo courtesy of Halekulani.

Hana Hou at the Halekulani

Sunday, May 24th ~ 11:00 a.m. at the Halekulani ballroom
The event closes with a Sunday brunch. Halekulani executive chef Vikram Garg prepares a five-course menu
utilizing only the very best in locally grown produce and locally raised proteins, beautifully complementing Hawai‘i Food & Wine Paradise 2009’s “Field of Dreams” theme. Mimosas, tropical teas and Kona coffee will also be served. Hawai‘i fashion designer Mamo Howell will present a fashion show.

Hana Hou at the Halekulani Sunday Brunch event page.
 

The event also features a golf tournament on Thursday morning.

The Hawai‘i Food & Wine Paradise is not only an opportunity to enjoy an epicurean weekend. It’s also a non-profit which supports education in Leeward O‘ahu. Hawai‘i Food & Wine Paradise contributes proceeds from the event to the Kapolei Foundation, Leeward Community College Culinary Arts program and Kukui Childrens Foundation. $150,000 was raised for charity in 2008.

Find out more about this and all of the other events at www.hawaiifoodandwineparadise.com or call 808-722-9892 to purchase tickets or for more information.