Lovers of Italian cuisine should mark their calendars for Saturday, Dec. 5, when Longhi's Wailea will host a five-course Italian dinner, paired with fine wines by Better Brands.
"Local boys A.J. DeCambra and Kirk Areola cook at Longhi's Wailea and they are also enrolled in the Maui Culinary Academy," says General Manager Michael Rose. "In an effort to mix the classroom and the work place, Longhi's chef, Roger Hampton, had this team of student chefs spearhead all phases of the upcoming Italian dinner - from planning the menu to actually cooking the feast."
Cost is $85 per person including wines, and $25 per guest goes to Maui Culinary Academy. The first course is spinach and arugula salad topped with poached pear and shaved red onion with raspberry-lime vinaigrette, paired with Prosecco. Other courses include seared scallop wrapped in smoked bacon with sage hash and lemon beurre blanc; and pork tenderloin stuffed with cranberries, goat cheese and spinach accompanied by pesto gnocchi.
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The Maui News / CARLA TRACY photo
Kirk Areola of Waiehu and A.J. DeCambra of Makawao are students at Maui Culinary Academy and chefs at Longhi’s. They’ve created a special Italian dinner to be served Dec. 5.
Dessert is an anise-laced cookie cup filled with vanilla bean panna cotta and persimmon sauce. Italian wines will flow.
In addition, actress Maureen McCormick of the "Brady Bunch" will celebrate the 40th anniversary of the TV?show with an appearance at Longhi's Wailea at 4:30 p.m. Dec. 6.
It's a benefit for Best Buddies Hawaii, a charity that is very dear to her heart. The fundraising party costs $50 per person includes pupu such as chicken skewers, ahi sliders, vegetable crostini, assorted pizzas and lemon tarts, refreshments and a copy of McCormick's book, "Here's The Story."
For reservations, call Longhi's at 891-8883.
