LE GRINDS . . . Looking for something fun to do this afternoon in Central Maui? Then head to the Pa'ina Culinary Arts Center on the Kahului campus of Maui Community College.
Le Grinds will be a big celebration of the table and world cuisine presented by students of Maui Culinary Academy. It runs from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. and costs $30 per person for all you can eat.
"A feast for the taste buds and the eyes, Le Grinds will feature elaborate table displays and tantalizing dishes that represent France, Greece, Portugal and Italy," says program coordinator Chris Speere. "Ninety percent of ingredients will come from on-island sources such as Maui Cattle Co., as well as Ali'i Kula Lavender Farm, Surfing Goat Dairy and Kula Coffee."
Article Photos
The Maui News / CARLA TRACY photo
James Beard Award-winning Chef Roy Yamaguchi is classically trained in French cooking and a dinner Saturday will celebrate his roots.
Cost is $30 per adult, and $17 for MCC students. Wine selections by Better Brands will be available for those 21 and older for $5 per glass. But be sure to bring your picture ID. Call 984-3434.
By the way, Speere also says the Noble Chef event held Saturday at Fairmont Kea Lani Maui raised $120,000 for MCA students.
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LIVING LARGE . . . Many don't know that acclaimed chef Roy Yamaguchi is classically trained in the French cooking style and that he just loves French food. "We are throwing a party to celebrate Roy's culinary roots," says Tim Caskey, manager of Roy's Kahana, who will set the stage at 7 p.m. this Saturday.
The four-course French feast will be paired with the wines of Kermit Lynch. Begin with escargot a la Provencal, then bouillabaisse of Hawaiian fish, followed by steak frites with Maitre d' butter, and Roy's melting hot chocolate souffle. Cost is $50 per person. Call 669-6999.
Or, how about a wine and cheese cruise? Maui Dive Shop's state-of the-art Alii Nui will team with Who Cut The Cheese Store for a cruise Tuesday out of Maalaea Harbor. Check-in time is at 4:30 p.m. at slip 56 on the breakwall side. Enjoy hand-selected wines and cheeses and many more delectable treats. Cost is the same as the sunset appetizer cruise at $80.94, inclusive. For reservations, call the Alii Nui at 875-0333.
In addition, Who Cut the Cheese will be at Stella Blues for its monthly wine-and-cheese tasting from 3 to 5 p.m. Sunday. This month's theme is Viva Espana. We hear there are a bunch of single ladies booked on this one, so single gentlemen are requested! Cost of the event is $30 and the phone is 874-3930.
Four Seasons Resort Lanai will present its final event in 2009 in a series of food-and-wines dinners. Friday, Ray Goff of Pepper Bridge and Amavi Cellars joins Executive Chef Fabrice Huet in the Dining Room at the Lodge at Koele for a meal to remember. Both wineries are known for their world-class cabernet sauvignon. Cost of the dinner is $125. Call 808-565-2426.
Also on the wine front, I'o on the Beach in Lahaina will present Wines at the Movies, featuring "Bottleshock" about the historical 1976 Paris wine tasting that put California on the world map. You get wines and pupu from 7 to 9 p.m. and you may "come at your leisure." Cost is $35 per person. Call 661-8422.
The Flyin' Hawaiian Shane Victorino, his bride, Melissa Smith, and friends had dinner at Sansei Kihei Sunday, the night after the couple's wedding. This weekend is the Shane Victorino Celebrity Golf Classic at the new Makena Beach and Golf Resort, so that will be the place to dine and catch a glimpse of the action.
Three's Catering will be on hand serving food for the C&K concert Saturday at the MACC in Kahului. Savor the seafood and Portuguese sausage gumbo, seared kalbi beef poke, kalua pork quesadillas and more.
* You may reach Dining Editor Carla Tracy at 242-6342.
