FARM FRESH . . . Thousands of people will trek to Maui Tropical Plantation in Waikapu from 9 a.m. to 4 pm. Saturday to attend the fourth annual Maui County Agricultural Fair.
While most of it is free and open to the public, the Grand Taste Education Tent will charge admission for people who want to sample 13 farm-fresh tastes prepared by teams of farmers, ranchers and chefs.
Tickets are being snapped up fast as they are priced to be affordable. The most expedient way to buy them is to visit www.mauicountyfarmbureau.org.
Article Photos
Kapalua’s new Village Cafe & Sweet Shoppe is dishing up early-bird dinner deals with a different theme each evening.
Photo courtesy of David Hanley
In addition, make sure to bring your canvas shopping bags as the Grown on Maui Farmers Market will feature more than 40 vendors.
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AT THE MACC . . . "Contemporary dance, original movement, funky excitement! You name it, Aszure Barton & Friends will bring it to the Castle Theater Stage tonight," says the Maui Arts & Cultural Center's food and beverage co-manager Luana Argel.
"Our new courtyard will open at 5:30 p.m. for cocktails. Or maybe you'd prefer a tasty Riesling with your dinner by Consuelo's Catering? Either way, try the chef's wild salmon in lilikoi glaze over quinoa salad, famous savory puff pastry with garden salad and chutney, or her chicken skewers with peanut sauce."
"Why not return to rock the amphitheater Friday night with the Doobie Brothers and War?" Argel continues. "It will be fabulous music and fabulous food!"
Catering from Soup to Nuts will bake ginger-shoyu chicken plates, and barbecue roast beef on onion roll. Nacho Mama's will take you south of the border with kalua pig and vegetarian nachos. Whole Foods Market will toss chicken Caesars and do hummus wraps.
"Who can say no to a Hula Cookie ice cream sandwich or some delicious Maui Kazowie kettle corn?" Argel asks. "Gates to the Events Lawn for food and beverages will open at 4:30 p.m. Come early, treat yourself, and then 'whoa whoaaaaaa, listen to the music'!"
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BITS AND PIECES . . . Hawaii residents 21 and older may complete entry forms and drop them in marked boxes at any Foodland location for a chance to win a staycation at Ihilani Resort & Spa on Oahu and a $100 credit to dine at the resort's Azul restaurant.
Taste The Happiness Sweepstakes is partnership with Tropilicious Ice Cream & Sorbet, available at Foodland in flavors such as green tea, mango and lychee.
There are dinner deals at the new Village Cafe & Sweet Shoppe in Kapalua. It's on Office Road in the old Kapalua Cafe and before that, Vino.
"One of our popular promotions is a themed early-bird special that we feature daily from 4 to 6 p.m.,"?say owners Stuart and Debbi Katz. "For instance, on Wednesdays we offer New Orleans Creole, a classic shrimp gumbo with cornbread; and Thursdays, we feature Southern Night with chicken and dumplings."
Each themed dinner costs $22.95 per person and includes classic side dish, soup or salad, coffee or tea and Roselani ice cream for dessert.
Speaking of Roselani, 12 flavors of its ice cream are sold at this family-oriented restaurant along with freshly baked desserts, and assorted sweets and candies from around the world. "We also offer fresh smoothies, ice cream shakes, specialty coffee drinks and a full bar of boutique wines, beer and island tropicals," says Katz.
Spotted at the Plantation House in Kapalua recently was singer Josh Groban, who Ali McBeal and then Oprah put in the spotlight.
Spago at Four Seasons Resort Maui in Wailea will flow with a Justin dinner Saturday with $25 from each person's check benefitting Maui Culinary Academy. It will also pour Storybook at a wine dinner April 8 with owner-winemaker Jerry Seps in attendance.
In response to the disaster in Japan, TD Food Group with Pizza Hut and Taco Bell locations in Hawaii will donate a percentage of its sales Wednesday to the American Red Cross-Hawaii Chapter.
"It's been truly heartbreaking to see what our friends and neighbors in Japan are going through in the wake of such devastation," says Henry Katsuda, president and CEO. "TD Food Group is pleased to play a role in the relief efforts by hosting this fundraiser."
* Reach Carla Tracy at carlatracy@mauinews.com.
