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Side Orders • November 1, 2018

Masaharu “Iron Chef” Morimoto is Hawaii’s most popular chef, say Food Network analysts. His restaurant at Andaz Maui in Wailea just rolled out a new omakase menu, too. The Maui News / CARLA TRACY file photo

IN THE SPOTLIGHT . . . Most of us have heard of the “Sexiest Man Alive” contest in People magazine. At 5 p.m. today on the Food Network, the “Sexiest Chef Alive” show will let viewers discover the most seductive culinarians in the United States.

It’s not surprising that the magazine contest would take a culinary slant and then catapult to television. Celebrity chefs are a cultural pop phenomenon — and the Food Network gets more viewers than CNN.

In addition, FN analysts decided to create a map of each state’s favorite celebrity chef based on Google Trends data. According to their findings, Hawaii’s favorite celebrity chef is Masaharu “Iron Chef” Morimoto, who has a restaurant at Andaz Maui in Wailea.

Morimoto Maui Chef Nicko Fix (formerly with the French Laundry) just rolled out a new omakase multi-course menu that’s quickly making him popular, too. His fresh kampachi carpaccio is seared in hot oil with sweet garlic, kabosu soy and mitsuba; and Asian pork belly is barbecued crisp and served with sauteed kimchee. GM Darren Hunsaker says diners are also raving about lobster won ton soup and wagyu steak cooked on hot stones.

Roselani Ice Cream company in Wailuku has released a new seasonal flavor of cool Pumpkin Cheesecake Crunch blended with holiday spiced pumpkin puree and graham cracker cookie pieces. Roselani scooping parlor partners include Banyan Treats and Local Boys Shave Ice in Lahaina along with Double Dipz in Queen Ka’ahumanu Center in Kahului, The Big Dipper in Kihei, and Westin Ka’anapali Ocean Resort Villas and Royal Lahaina Resort, both in Kaanapali.

“If you’re having a party or would just like to indulge your family and friends, you may order a three-gallon tub from our factory plant in Wailuku,” says third-generation ice cream maker Cathy Nobriga Kim. You may also enjoy Roselani ice cream at the Made in Maui Festival on Saturday at Maui Arts & Cultural Center in Kahului.

“We were asked by the Maui Chamber of Commerce to serve the Festival Float,” she says. “It’s Roselani Hawaiian Vanilla Bean Ice Cream and Maui Brewing Root Beer in a commemorative cup.”

Mangia el Fresco! will transport you into the heart of Italy during University of Hawaii Maui College’s Edventure program from 2 to 5 p.m. Nov. 10 in the Laulima Building room 106 on the Kahului campus. Chef Rosa Mariotti will demo how to prepare, cook and serve a four-course Roman feast perfect for Thanksgiving with wine pairings, too. Cost is $119 per adult 21 and older. To register, call Chris Speere at 984-3690.

Marco’s Grill & Deli in Kahului is launching a happy hour today that runs from 3 to 6 p.m. weekdays. Sip select $5 wines and $3.50 beers and savor antipasto platters and smoked salmon crostinis.

“The happy hour menu features finger foods not on the menu,” says new owner Sandy Szymanski. “We also have veggie antipasto skewers, sauteed mushroom crostinis and garlic fries. It’s very important to have vegetarian dishes for our diners. There’s a face-lift going on with more things to come. I’m excited!”

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