This Saturday: Good eats at Calabash & Cooks

April 15, 2015

Grant Shindo,

Calabash & Cooks, a benefit for the Malama Learning Center, returns to Kapolei High School this Saturday. As a resident of Waipio I appreciate this rare grazing event on my side of the island, even more so because this second Calabash looks to be bigger and tastier than the first.

The Malama Learning Center brings art, science, conservation and culture together to promote sustainable living throughout Hawaii through education.

Here’s last year’s lineup of chefs and their Kapolei High School student helpers. This year, Zach Sato of Merriman’s Kapalua joins Mark Noguchi of Mission Social Hall & Cafe as honorary chef co-chair. Also featured will be Kaahaaina Cafe, Miso & Ale, Kealoha Domingo of Nuikealoha, vegan chef Ori Ann Li, Firehouse Food Truck, Nani Kore and Kapolei High’s culinary arts program, Hurricane Heat.

Here’s a sneak peek at what you’ll eat on Saturday.

Photo by Tracy Chan

Mark Noguchi & Zach Sato’s collaboration dish for VIP guests
Maui cauliflower, Southiphong family egg, tomato

Merriman’s Maui
Wakame-braised local pork belly, okayu, cured yolk butter

MISSION Social Hall & Cafe
Niihau eland ma po tofu custard, spiced rice

Kaahaaina Cafe
Seared ahi wasabi cream brulee with tatsoi, taro masu and ma’o greens; warm passion fruit bread pudding

Firehouse
Chicken kelaguen tacos

Ori Ann’s Vegan Kitchen
Taro and vegetable char siu bao

Nani Kore
Housemade kimchi salsa served in a tortilla shell, drizzled with a house sriracha aioli

Miso & Ale
Pork rafute, roasted garlic eggplant jun, pickled vegetables

Kealoha Domingo
Kai ia (fish soup featuring Ho Farms vegetables and fresh island fish)

Pono Plates
Panko-crusted taro cakes with roasted garlic aioli, pico de gallo

Kapolei High School “Hurricane Heat”
Sweet Ewa onion, anchovy & kalamata olive bruschetta

The entertainment lineup includes Chinagu Eisa (Okinawan style taiko), Shakti Dance Movement and Devi Dance Company (tribal fusion belly dance), Hālau ʻO Kaululauaʻe and Hālau Nā Maka O Ka Lauaʻe (hula accompanied by Kanai ʻa and Friends), and vocals by David Adler (rhythmic folk originals) and Hawaiian Style Band singer-songwriter Wade Cambern. He will be performing his hits including “Love and Honesty” and “Rhythm of the Ocean.”