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It’s barbecue time: Tickets now on sale for Fire it Up!

The nation’s hottest pit masters, culinary greats to grill at Grand Wailea

Hometown Barbecue pit-master/owner Billy Durney of New York City will wow with wood-grilled Colorado lamb. Photo courtesy Grand Wailea

The music alone will be reason enough to go there. Hawaii recording greats such as Makana and Cyril Pahinui will perform and James Beard Award-winning chef and Las Vegas restaurateur Hubert Keller will spin as a deejay.

Yes, Grand Wailea will pull out all of the stops for an exhilarating barbecue event set for the weekend after Independence Day, and tickets will go as fast as the carnitas tacos and the oysters Rockefeller in the food lineup. So step lively if you want to get in on the action.

“Fire it Up! will be a dynamic food and beverage showcase that will bring together several of the nation’s hottest culinary talents for an evening of delicious barbecue and revelry on Maui,” says Ryan Urig, Grand Wailea executive chef.

“The beachside indulgence will be coupled with live entertainment and interactive games for the little ones.”

“Alongside the cuisine will be cocktails complementing the fare prepared by John Tiogo, Grand Wailea beverage manager and mixologist. Guests can also enjoy a selection of bourbon and tequila cocktails, wines, and Grand Wailea’s signature Gose beer, brewed exclusively for the resort by Maui Brewing Company,” adds new Director of Food & Beverage Scott O’Gorman, who just arrived from running the multi-million dollar food program at Harrah’s Las Vegas.

Old Major chef-owner Justin Brunson of Denver will entice with beef ribs. Photo courtesy Grand Wailea

Two hot shots from “Top Chef: Season 14” will appear. John Tesar, chef and owner of Knife in Dallas will grill truffle burgers; and Maui’s own Sheldon Simeon of Tin Roof will tempt with whole fish in ti leaf cooked on hot lava rocks.

Sam Jones, pit-master and owner of Sam Jones Barbecue in North Carolina, will do Korean ribs, Vietnamese chicken wings, whole pig, pastrami bacon and Caroline pork sliders at his varied station.

Chef Keller of Fleur in Las Vegas hasn’t decided what he’ll make yet; Billy Durney of Hometown Barbecue in New York City will do wood-grilled Colorado lamb with harissa, cucumber tzatziki and herbs. Justin Brunson of Old Major in Denver will fire up beef ribs and more manly fare.

Participating Grand Wailea Chef Urig will do wild-boar chili; Kualoa Ranch oysters Rockefeller; and Puna chicken grilled on Maui beer cans. The resort’s Executive Sous Chef Jorge Gonzalez will feature a Mexican street stand with pork carnitas tacos and roasted corn with Maui fruit.

The resort’s Humuhumunukunukuapua’a Chef de Cuisine Michael Lofaro will do an East Coast clambake with clams, oysters, shrimp and lobster; Bistro Molokini chef de cuisine Adam Rzeczkowski will rotisserie goat Argentinean-style with grilled sweet potatoes and other vegetables.

Topping it off will be Executive Pastry Chef Christian Brassfield’s adult ‘smores, cobbler and cornbread.

“Fire it Up! is slated to become one of Maui’s hottest annual summer events,” says Urig. “Come and enjoy this fun food by chefs and pit masters — all complemented by cocktails, wine and beer.”

Grand Wailea is also in Restaurant Week Wailea with discounted multi-course meals through Saturday; and it will present Taste of Summer on June 21 as the kickoff party for Maui Film Festival at Wailea.

Details for the Fire it Up! beachside barbecue

• When: From 5 to 9 p.m. on the full moon of Saturday, July 8.

• Where: Grand Wailea, a Waldorf Astoria Resort’s beachside Molokini Lawn will set the stage.

• What you get: Barbecue cooked by top U.S. chefs; drinks, dessert, live music and children’s activities.

• How much: General admission is $150 per person; VIP is $250 with early admission and swag. Kids ages 5 to 12 get in for $75.

• For tickets: You may visit www.fireitup.eventbrite.com.

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