Mangoes at the Moana

Mango season has always had a special place in the hearts of Island residents. In celebration of this tradition, Beachhouse at the Moana and The Moana Surfrider, A Westin Resort & Spa will host their 2^nd annual "Mangoes at the Moana" promotion.

Last year’s Mangoes at the Moana event.

Chef Rodney’s Organix stuffed chicken dish, demo on August 7 at 12 p.m.

Enjoy a number of mango samples. Photos: courtesy of Starwood Hotels & Resorts.

This year’s promotion takes the celebration to a new level with a month-long celebration of special events and tasting activities. The promotion kicks off with the official 2^nd annual “Mangoes at the Moana” event on Saturday, August 7^th from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Events are free and open to the public.

Mangoes at the Moana events on August 7^th will take place at the following locations and times:

Moana Mango Recipe Contest, 9 a.m. – 12 p.m., Ballroom One, Two, and Parlor Room

Chefs and chef hopefuls are invited to submit their best recipes online for pre-judging.

Finalists are invited to present these recipes to be tasted by a panel of celebrity of judges. Submission forms, rules and more information may be found at www.mangoesatthemoana.com. Prizes include a two-night stay in an ocean front room ($1,400 value) at the Moana Surfrider, dinner for two ($150 value) at Beachhouse at the Moana, and a luxurious mango-inspired spa treatment ($150 value) at the Moana Lani Spa, A Heavenly Spa by Westin.

Mango Farmers Demo and Tastings, 9 a.m. – 1 p.m., Lani Kai Room

Hawaii’s mango farmers will provide free samples of the different varieties of mangoes that are grown on their farms. Guests will have a chance to “talk story” with the farmers to get an in-depth view of how they raise their trees to produce a world-class product.

Culinary Demonstration with Mangoes, 12 – 4 p.m., Beachhouse at the Moana and Lani Kai Room

Chef de Cuisine Rodney Uyehara from the Beachhouse at the Moana will showcase one of his own secret mango recipes as he prepares a stuffed organic chicken Keitt dish with goat, gruyere and ricotta cheese, prosciutto, shitake mushroom, topped with Conundrum demi-sauce. Additional mango recipes will be showcased throughout that time and complimentary samples will be available after the demonstration.

Mango Seminar by Mark Suiso, Erin Polites, and Moana Lani Spa 9 a.m. – 2 p.m., Parlor Room, Boardroom, and Moana Lani Spa

Join local farmer Mark Suiso of Makaha Mangoes, and health and wellness expert Erin Polites in several different seminars that will cover how to cultivate and grow a mango tree, the history of the mango, varieties of mangoes in Hawaii, and health and wellness tips. Other prominent local mango farmers will also be on hand to share their tips and first-hand knowledge of caring for mango trees.

Mango Body Scrub Recipe Contest, 12:30 to 1:30 p.m., Moana Lani Spa, A Heavenly Spa by Westin

Best of Honolulu Award-winner, Moana Lani Spa invites participants to vote for Best Taste and Best Feel of homemade mango body scrub recipes created by spa employees. Voters will be eligible to win a spa scrub package and a compilation of the contest’s body scrub recipes for personal rejuvenation at home.

Lunch and afternoon tea, 12 – 3 p.m., The Veranda

Afternoon Tea at The Veranda is a local tradition with a selection of fine teas, delicious finger sandwiches, salads, scones and delicate pastries, and relaxing views of Waikiki Beach. Throughout August, Mango lovers will also delight in a mango-filled menu including mango, papaya, and avocado salad, mango tea, mango scones, curd and cakes.

In addition, on Saturday, August 21, enjoy Afternoon Tea with Jams World, featuring a tropical fashion show from 1 to 3 p.m. Moana Classic Tea service is $32.50 and First Lady Tea service is $48.

Throughout the “Mangoes at the Moana” kickoff event on Saturday, August 7, there will be free entertainment at the Banyan Courtyard from 10 a.m. – 11 p.m.
 

Beachhouse at the Moana will host a pre-event kickoff wine dinner on Friday, August 6^th from 6 – 9:30 p.m featuring a five-course mango-themed menu starting with a mango and wine tasting.

Chef Rodney Uyehara toasts the bounty of Hawaiian mangoes.

Poached Kona Lobster. Photos: courtesy of Beachhouse at the Moana

Here’s a look at the dinner and wine pairing menu:

First Course

Hawaiian Style Mango Sampler
rapoza with pancetta, red pickled keitt, white pirie with soy vinegar glaze
Wine Pairings: Storrs Gewurztraminer Viento Vineyard Monterey 2007 and Gauthier Riesling Gravelstone Vineyards Arroyo Secco 2009

Second Course

Poached Kona lobster
Makaha mango, avocado, black truffle vinaigrette
Wine pairings: Robert Talbott Chardonnay “Cuvee Audrey” Monterey 2007 and Zaca Mesa Roussanne Santa Ynez Valley Estate 2007

Third Course

Braised Big Island Red Veal
Molokai orange potato, surfing goat cheese, mango chutney, roasted Kona chocolate cacao nibs
Wine pairings: Carrefour Pinot Noir Carneros Estate 2006 and McIntyre Pinot Noir Santa Lucia Highlands Estate 2007

Fourth Course

Moyer Farms Mignon of Beef
Grilled Hamakua mushrooms, foie gras, balsamic glazed mango, tawney port demi
Wine pairings: Pina Cabernet Sauvignon D’Adamo Vineyard Napa Valley 2006 and Gamba “Old Vine” Zinfandel Russian River Estate 2007

Fifth Course

Deconstructed Mango Bread Pudding
Toasted mango bread, warm vanilla sauce, mango
Wine pairing: Kopke Rose of Port, Oporto, Portugal

Proceeds will go to benefit the University of Hawaii’s Culinary Institute of the Pacific and Hawaii Tropical Fruit Growers. Tickets are available for $95 per person.
 

"Mangoes at the Moana" events continued…

 The Mangoes at the Moana finale event, “Tree to Table – a Mango Throw Down”, will take place on Friday, August 27^th from 6 – 9:30 p.m.

Guests will be able to enjoy tastings prepared by local celebrity chefs including:

• Chef Rodney Uyehara, Beachhouse at the Moana
• Chef Jon Matsubara, Azure Restaurant
• Chef Ryan Loo, Twist at Hanohano
• Chef Colin Hazama, Jean-Georges’ Kauai Grill
• Chef Ralf Bauer, Sheraton Princess Kaiulani
• Chef and Owner Peter Merriman and Chef Neal Murphy, Merriman’s
• Chef Dave “D.K.” Kodama, D.K. Steakhouse
• Chef Donato Loperfido, Sapori Enotecca Birreria
• Chef Hardy Kirschner, Michel’s at the Colony Surf
• Chef and Owner Chai Chaowasaree, Chai’s Island Bistro
• Chef and Owner Roy Yamaguchi and Chef Jason Peel, Roy’s Hawaiian Fusion Cuisine
• Chef Hiroshi Fukui, Hiroshi’s Eurasian Tapas
• Chef Lindsey Ozawa, Nobu Waikiki
• Chef Jeffery Vigilla, Hilton Hawaiian Village
• Chef and Owner Colin Nishida, Side Street Inn
• Chef and Co-owner Russell Siu, 3660 On The Rise
• Chef Wayne Hirabayashi, The Kahala Hotel & Resort

The chefs will challenge each other to a friendly competition to win Best Use of Mango, People’s Choice, Dessert, and Overall Best Dish awards.

Pre-sale tickets of $75 will end August 26 and tickets will be available for purchase on location for $85. Proceeds will benefit the Culinary Institute of the Pacific. Call 808-923-2861 to purchase tickets.

“Mangoes at the Moana” festivities also include specially designed cocktails including a Mango Cosmo or MangoRita, available from August 7 – 29 at Moana Surfrider’s Beach Bar and Beachhouse at the Moana.

In addition, from August 7 – 29, Chef Uyehara will offer a variety of mango-inspired mango dinners at Beachhouse at the Moana. These limited-time-only dinner specials will include dishes such as fresh local catch-of-the-day with mango preparations, mango Foie Gras, and desserts such as mango cheesecake, mango bread pudding, mango crème brulee, and mango gelato!

For those looking to stay and play over the weekend, Moana Surfrider will be offering a limited-time Kama‘āina getaway package throughout August 2010. The package includes:

• Rates start at $189/night in Vibrant Waikiki accommodations
• Complimentary self parking
• Complimentary 2 p.m. check-in and 2 p.m. check-out
• 25% discount off food at the Beachhouse at the Moana, The Veranda and the Beach Bar
• 15% discount off spa treatment per person (up to two people) daily at Moana Lani Spa

For hotel reservations or more information, please call 808-921-4640 and ask for the KAMVIP rate plan.

For information about the “Mangoes at the Moana” festivities, please visit www.mangoesatthemoana.com or call the Moana Surfrider at (808) 923-2861.