FEAST ON THE BEACH . . . I know of a preferred personal chef and shopper for the Ho'olei Grand Wailea Residences, who hopes to expand his repertoire.
"I was born in Long Beach, California, but I moved here when I was 3, so Maui is my home," says Chef Roger "Raja" Shortell Jr.
"I do extreme outdoor and sunset dinners when locations are available plus catering, personal and private chef services for high-end to casual clients."
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Feast on the beach: Chef Roger “Raja” Shortell Jr. loves to cook what he calls “extreme outdoor” meals at out-of-the- way locales around the island. Movie stars including Richard Chamberlain are eating it right up.
Actor Richard Chamberlain loves Raja's food and so does Baron Davis, a two-time NBA All-Star for the Cleveland Cavaliers.
"But really, everyone is a star when I cook for you. My style is Asian infusion ... but really I pull from our diverse melting pot of culture here on Maui." For more details, visit www.feastonthebeach.com.
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CHEESY HAPPENINGS . . . According to actress Billy Burke, "Age is something that doesn't matter, unless you are a cheese."
Chef Scott McGill, who oversees popular TS Restaurants in West Maui such as Kimo's, Hula Grill and Duke's Beach House, also has a fun quote. "To me," he says, "life without pork fat, sausage, beer, demi-glace, wine or even stinky cheese is a life not worth living."
This month, McGill and other island chefs are launching the Localicious: Dine Out Maui promotion at restaurants, featuring farm-fresh foods. Look for a feature about it in next week's Scene.
Who Cut The Cheese closed Aug. 31 in Kihei and its new counterpart, Guava, Gouda & Caviar, is tentatively slated to open today at Wailea Gateway. There apparently will be a tasting room there to pair wines and cheeses, according to owner Ann Tuomela.
A new fromage feast has been launched by Denny's that's designed to make cheese lovers melt. "We urge everyone to try something a little different from their favorite cheeses," says publicist Rebecca Lynch.
"So our new menu boasts a medley of both traditional and unconventional cheeses covering, smothering, oozing and gooey with every dish."
Choose from the Mac 'n Cheese Big Daddy Patty Melt to the Winner Winner Cheesy Dinner to the Big Cheese Country Fried Steak and Eggs.
Apparently, America consumes about 8.8 billion pounds of cheese annually, so Denny's is getting in the thick of it by inviting you to compete for prizes by posting your "cheesiest joke" chat-up lines on Twitter.
The Melting Pot in Lahaina is stirring up romance for couples on their anniversaries. "Come celebrate your special day with us and enjoy a free chocolate fondue for two!" says General Manager Cindy DellaFave. Of course, cheese is on the dinner menu.
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BITS AND PIECES . . . Located in the Kihei Kalama Village in South Maui, the Ambrosia Martini Lounge now hosts Red Carpet Movie Night every Wednesday starting at 7:30 p.m.
"We do a movie screening, offer free popcorn, and have happy hour prices until 9 p.m.," says owner Candice Seti. "Each month we feature a different theme. This month is Mike Myers month."
Wednesday, you may relive "Austin Powers: International Man of Mystery," and Sept. 28, get a few laughs with "SNL, Best of Mike Myers."
Cafe O'Lei Kihei is now open on Mondays and the owners want to get the word out.
"This is the first time we have opened seven days there in the five-plus years we have been in Kihei," says owner Dana Pastula. "So our daily hours of operation are lunch from 10:30 a.m. until 3:30 p.m. and our dinner is from 4:30 p.m. until 9:30 p.m."
As part of its Year of the International Burrito promo, Maui Tacos outlets will go Korean this month with bulgogi (marinated and grilled beef), rice, pineapple and kim chi wrapped in a large flour tortilla.
At 5:30 p.m. Monday, those shopping at Whole Foods Market in Kahului should check out the cooking demo by Chef Caroline Schaub of O'o Farm. Sept. 26, Chef Ryan Luckey of Pineapple Grill will whip up dishes highlighting the island's best produce.
Sorry to report the Village Cafe and Sweet Shoppe in Kapalua has closed. But $850,000 was infused into the Maui economy in the form of salaries and services," say owners Stuart and Debbi Katz.
