BEV GANNON'S WORLD. . . She just keeps on ticking, like the Energizer Bunny, as does her husband, Joe Gannon, a total live wire. Whew! It's hard to keep up.
First, they'll throw a benefit for Maui Culinary Academy on Aug. 20 at Gannon's: A Pacific View Restaurant in Wailea in the form of a five-course dinner and fun pairings with Torbreck Winery.
The couple will kick off Tapas Nights with live acoustic music Sept. 7 in the back Plantation Room of Hali'imaile General Store, and it will continue run every Wednesday and Thursday night. All tapas, such as oysters Rockefeller and duck confit sliders, will cost $9 and under, and there will be cocktail and wine specials.
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Belia Paul, the general manager of Hali‘imaile General Store, will launch Tapas Nights on Wednesdays and Thursdays with no menu item over $9, starting Sept. 7 in the Plantation Room of the Upcountry hot spot.
The Maui News CARLA TRACY photo
Then, Sunday, Sept. 4, over Labor Day weekend, Beverly will be the featured chef at luncheon with prize giveaways at Makena Beach & Golf Resort.
The VIP lunch is part of the Invitation to Foodies - A Taste of Hawaii event that will end with the Grand Tasting that evening, featuring her and other top Maui chefs such as Brian Etheredge of Capische?, Ryan Luckey of Pineapple Grill and Cameron Lewark of Spago.
It's a benefit for Kalima O Maui, and you may buy tickets to the nighttime Grand Tasting only or to the whole day and night of epicurean fun. I'll do a feature story on it next week in Scene with more details.
The event is being planned by wine and food experts in San Raphael, Calif. So for tickets, call customer service at (866) 613-4438 or go online to the event information page: www.invitationtofoodies.com.
On Sept. 19, Beverly will be inducted with 11 other legends at Hawaii Restaurant Association's annual hall of fame gala honoring 20 years of Hawaii Regional Cuisine at Waikiki Edition on Oahu. You may buy tickets for $200 a pop to the "Chefs of Aloha" dine-around.
The "Ocean's 12" of the culinary world will also launch an HRC online chefs/cooking program, so we may hone our skills.
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BITS AND PIECES. . . Another place that is doing tapas (all the rage in Las Vegas as I saw on my last visit there) is Sea House in Napili. It's open air and just a rubber slipper toss to Napili Bay.
"Our happy hour runs from 2 to 5:30 p.m. and is styled on all tapas-size portions for sharing, with all the items being 5 or 6 dollars," says Executive Chef Craig Erickson. "We have a brand-new dinner menu running right now as well and have had some great feedback from our guests. We're also gearing up for our favorite fun competition coming up on Aug 28, the Crock-Pot Cook-off at the Jodo Mission in Lahaina."
Ko at the Fairmont Kea Lani in Wailea will be shut down until next year in order to get a whole new look. But don't be sad, deals are forthcoming.
"We are thrilled to be kicking off the complete renovation of Ko restaurant starting this Monday," says the hotel General Manager Charles Head.
"Ko's sustainable, farm-to-table menu highlights the many cultures of Maui's sugar cane era, resulting in a diverse and unique dining experience. The $5 million investment in the restaurant will give us an incredible destination venue in which we can showcase our Executive Chef Tylun Pang's immensely popular Ko menu."
Even better news is, Ko's menu will be available at the Kea Lani Restaurant nightly, and kamaaina get 50 percent off the Ko menu until the new year. "It's a great opportunity for the community to come in and give the Ko menu a try if they haven't already," says Megan Haertling, new director of public relations for the resort.
At Wailea Gateway, Pita Paradise Bistro undulates with belly dancer Isa Inca from 6 to 8:30 p.m. Friday, as it does every second Friday of the month. Come enjoy fresh catch, Mediterranean hummus and the show.
Village Cafe & Sweet Shoppe in Kapalua is launching a brunch buffet every Sunday from 9:30 a.m. to 2 p.m., with "live smooth jazz, Hawaiian style." For $24.95, you get soups, salads, breakfast items, barbecue chicken, beef and seafood, and desserts.
Today is "Miracle Treat Day," in which $1 from every Blizzard Treat sold at Dairy Queen will go to the Children's Miracle Network Hospitals.
Anyone named Dave, David or Davy? Bring your ID to Famous Dave's BBQ in Lahaina Sunday and get a free $15 entree. If "Dave" is your middle name, then you get half price on your entree.
Charley's in Paia has changed hands. Founder and owner of the legendary restaurant and bar, Jim Fuller, says that the name will stay the same and the new owners will keep all of the employees. . . Also, the 3-month-old Scoreboards in Kihei has closed and is out of the restaurant game.
* Email the dining editor at carlatracy@mauinews.com.
