Sponsored Edition: Kitchen Confidential

No matter how many episodes of Rachel Ray and Top Chef you watch, you still can’t get your salmon to sear perfectly, or to get your macadamia nut crust to brown without charring.

You need some in-person instruction.

Well, here’s your chance. At this weekend’s Made In Hawai‘i festival, HONOLULU Magazine, in partnership with the Department of Agriculture’s Buy Fresh, Buy Local program, is presenting cooking demonstrations from Hale Aina Award winning chefs like Chai Chaowasaree of Chai’s Island Bistro, Ed Kenney of Town and Downtown, and Rodney Uyehara of Beachhouse at the Moana.  

They’ll be personally showing you how to cook recipes with local ingredients, from Hamakua mushrooms to Kamuela tomatoes to Maui-produced goat cheese. And if you need a refresher course after the event, all of the recipes, along with videos of the presentations, will be available at www.honolulumagazine.com/madeinhawaii  

Here are some of the mouthwatering dishes you can learn how to make:

Friday, August 21
2 p.m. – Ronnie Nasuti of Roy's Restaurant with Dean Okimoto of Nalo Farms: Grilled miso-marinated Hawaiian fish and Waimanalo sweet corn pudding with Dean’s Greens, Hawaiian honey and vanilla vinaigrette

4 p.m.  – Patrick Yamaguchi of Big City Diner: Ahi wrap     

6 p.m. – Jon Matsubara of Azure: Alokea smoked sturgeon, deviled Peterson Upland Farm egg, pickled Kahuku seaphire

Saturday, August 22
12 noon – Marc Anthony Freiberg of Mariposa: Kamuela tomato-scaled tilapia, smoked Kaua‘i shrimp potato salad and lilikoi brown butter

2 p.m. – Chai Chaowasaree of Chai’s Island Bistro and Singha Thai: Aloun Farms corn chowder

4 p.m. – Rodney Uyehara of Beachhouse at the Moana: Stuffed chicken breast with a Hamakua mushroom risotto

6 p.m. – Ed Kenney of Town and Downtown: Kulana beef

Sunday, August 23
12 noon – Ryan Loo of Twist at Hanohano: Kona lobster and hearts of palm bisque, and Lehua honey-glazed Waimanalo beets, Maui Surfing Goat cheese, baby arugala, Ka‘u oranges, and peppered mac nuts

2 p.m. – Elmer Guzman of Poke Stop: Pork cracklings and foil-wrapped mahi with shrimp and anchovy garlic butter

The 14th Annual Made in Hawai‘i Festival is at the Bliasdell Center this weekend, Friday, August 21 from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m., Saturday, August 22 from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. and Sunday, August 23 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. It is produced by the Made in Hawai‘i Association and is presented by First Hawaiian Bank.More info is at www.madeinhawaiifestival.com