Preview: Pop-ups at the Food & New Products Show

This weekend, check out the 49th annual Fall Food & New Products Show at the Blaisdell to see the latest from local vendors and — if you’re so organized — get a jump start on your holiday shopping. I usually go to get unique gifts for my mainland friends who pass through Hawaii, since they can’t easily access some of the things sold at these expos.

In addition to samples, live demonstrations, prize giveaways and a plant sale, this year they’re adding a new attraction to the weekend by featuring three pop-up tastings:

• Friday, October 18, 5 to 9 p.m.: Miso & Ale featuring pork adobo waffle cone ($5-10)
• Saturday, October 19, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.:  Oko Guys featuring kim chee bacon okonomiyaki ($8)
• Sunday, October 20, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.: A Place To Eat featuring mint pesto penne ($14), mac nut mahi mahi ($11) and bacon lomi lomi ($9).

I got to preview their items and watch them cook so you know what to expect. They were all so good, now I can’t decide which day I want to go to the expo. Here they are, in order of appearance:

Miso & Ale

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My first stop was Likelike Drive In, where Miso & Ale’s Chris Okuhara was making a huge batch of pork adobo. This is the size of a small bathtub.

Miso and Ale

Oko Guys

A Place to Eat

49th Annual Fall Food & New Products Show
Friday, October 18 5 to 10 p.m.: Free admission with donation of each canned food item for Hawaii Food Bank (Friday night only)
Saturday, October 19 10 a.m. to 9 p.m.
Sunday, October 20 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Neal S. Blaisdell Exhibition Hall
ADMISSION: $4 General Admission; $2 Active Military (ID required, families allowed); Children ages 12 and under are free with paid adult
Coupons available at 7-11 stores or on PacificExpos.com