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Hawaii Food & Wine Fest lands in West Maui

Superstar chefs, master mixologists, gourmet cuisine in Kaanapali

By Carla Tracy 9 min read

Pegged the "premier epicurean event of the Pacific," the eighth annual Hawaii Food & Wine Festival tees off on Maui Oct. 19 with Roy's Golf Classic, followed by two evenings of Ka'anapali Resort galas and a daytime family-friendly extravaganza before it moves to Oahu Oct. 24 to 28. The Big Island launched Saturday.

In all there will be more than 100 world-class chefs, 50 winemakers and a dozen mixologists bringing their talents together from across the globe on three separate islands -- no small feat, indeed -- and more than 10,000 people will be in attendance.

"The energy will be high with celebrity chefs and non-stop, high-level food, wine, beer and cocktails presented at the signature events," explains Shelley Kekuna, executive director of Ka'anapali Beach Resort Association.

"We dish up stunning outdoor backdrops and loads of fun. It's one of the best times to stay in the resort. The events are up close and personal. You're in arms reach of world-famous chefs and mixologists, winemakers and craft beer makers," she continues. "You can easily snap a photo with Chef Michelle Bernstein from Crumb and Parchment out of Miami or Food Network show host of 'Restaurant Impossible' -- Robert Irvine -- of Robert Irvine's Public House based in Las Vegas."

Golfers will put their best food "fore-ward," according to the schedule, at Roy's 21st annual Golf Classic at Ka'anapali Royal Golf Course on Oct. 19. This benefit for Imua Family Services lets you and your team drive your way through the course, imbibe in cocktails and munch fun creations by Maui chefs.

Enjoy cuisine by Henry Adaniya of Hank's Haute Dogs, Abby Ferrer of Star Noodle, Joey Macadangdang of Joey's Kitchen, Jayse Sato of Umi Sushi and Tom Muromoto of Ka'anapali Beach Hotel.

"For the golf course, I'll serve roasted pork sliders in mango-barbecue sauce on homemade bao buns," says Muromoto, the 2017 "Best Chef" on Maui winner.

The lively dinner and awards ceremony will follow at Roy's Ka'anapali. Reserve your team soon. Space is limited as many of the visiting celeb chefs are playing.

"We are proud to share with our visiting chef friends the bounty of Hawaii," says HFWF co-chair and co-founder Roy Yamaguchi, a James Beard Award-winning chef who owns the venue in which the banquet will be held, and many more restaurants.

"They will all use island ingredients, including from Maui, in their dishes at both Spiked! and Symphony of Flavors," he adds.

"Maui is an important part of the festival, and this year we added a fourth event--Keiki in the Kitchen Ka'anapali on Oct. 21, featuring the YouTube baking superstar Rosanna Pansino. Now there is something for every member of the family on Maui, from decorating cupcakes for kids to an elegant sit-down dinner in front of a kitchen stadium where people can watch world-famous chefs in action."

From 6 to 9 p.m. Oct 20, Spiked! will increase your culinary pleasure under the stars at the Sheraton Maui Resort & Spa's Anuenue Lawn in Kaanapali. Walk from booth to booth and meet some of the most famous chefs in the United States. Top it off with a fireworks show as the grand finale.

Host and Sheraton Executive Chef Lyndon Honda challenges his 13 guest chef superstars to push the envelope in the form of seasonings and ingredients.

"Hawaii Food & Wine Festival provides a unique opportunity for guests to taste dishes prepared by some of the world's most celebrated chefs, while highlighting fresh local products sourced from Hawaii farmers, fishermen and ranchers," Honda says.

"Spiked! will bring together all-star chefs who will emphasize global spices and flavors in every dish. We're excited to be a part of this event, cooking alongside such a distinguished group -- it's going to be a night to remember!" Honda continues.

Explore a world of flavor, from star anise to za'atar, as you make your way from one station to the next outdoors and oceanfront. Pair the creative combinations that pepper each plate with stellar vino from Southern Glazers Wines & Spirits along with cutting-edge cocktails and craft beers.

Featured chefs are Robert Del Grande of Cafe Annie in Houston; Michelle Bernstein of Crumb on Parchment in Miami; Stephen Durfee of the Culinary Institute of America in St. Helena, Calif.; Dean Fearing of Fearing's in Dallas; Robert Irvine of Robert Irvine's Public House in Las Vegas; Brandon Jew of Mister Jiu's in San Francisco; Jordan Keao of 'aina in San Francisco; Bill Peet of Tavern on the Green in New York City; Ed Kenney of Mud Hen Water in Honolulu; Stephan Pyles of Flora Street Cafe in Dallas; and Sherry Yard of iPic Entertainment in Los Angeles.

Art Smith of Blue Door Kitchen & Garden in Chicago dropped out due to a scheduling snafu, and Maui's own Michael Lofaro of Grand Wailea's Humuhumunukunukuapua'a stepped in to appear.

These chefs are all famous, and many have had their own TV shows (including Lofaro of Emmy Award-winning former "Search Hawaii: Where Food Meets Culture"). Some have also authored best-selling cookbooks and received coveted James Beard Awards.

Fearing is renowned around the world as the "Father of Southwestern Cuisine." With his Texas twang, Fearing will appear in cowboy boots, shorts and chef jacket to make Kona Brewing Co. Kanaha Blonde Ale-glazed fresh mahimahi on Mexican chorizo rice with mango salsa fresca.

Bernstein of Miami is hot as it gets with Latin flavors and culinary awards. She'll braise beef cheeks in goji-gang sauce and serve on Hawaiian lettuce and veggie salad with calamansi-lime salsa verde.

Chef Jew of Mister Jiu's in San Francisco will grill Xinjiang goat skewers, prepared in the style of northwest China.

"I'm very excited to come to Maui," Jew emailed The Maui News. "I've only been once before to do a dinner with Chef Isaac Bancaco at the Andaz Maui in Wailea. He took me on a fishing trip with his dad and I caught my first fish with them!"

Thirsty?

At Spiked!, Oahu Master Mixologist Chandra Lucariello will shake up the crowd with her PHO-natic with Fortaleza Reposado Tequila, Amontillado sherry, lime, serrano pepper and five-spice syrup.

Mixologist Kyle Reutner will be at another station, blending the "El" with Kohana Kea rum.

El Dorado, El Silencio mezcal, grenadine, curacao, Cocchi di Torino, an orange twist and Bittermens burlesque bitters.

Mixologist Jason Vendrell will make the No Ka Oi with Ocean Vodka, honey-lilikoi foam, lime juice, simple syrup and Thai basil along with the Nothing but a G (& T) Thang with Aviation Gin, lemongrass simple syrup, calamansi lime and mint.

Bartender Alicia Yamachika will let you take a walk on the dark side with West Side Punch, filled with bourbon, yellow chartreuse, Elizabeth Allspice Dram, John D. Taylor's Velvet Falernum, lime, pineapple puree, passion fruit puree.

This year, HFWF's popular Keiki in the Kitchen event makes its Maui debut from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Oct. 21, at the Whalers Village Fine Shops & Restaurants in Kaanapali.

Headlining the event is perky YouTube baking star Rosanna Pansino, known for her series "Nerdy Nummies." Pansino joins 17 celebrity chef guests for a day of food and fun for the whole family and will lead cupcake-making demos for the kids at 11:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m., using her signature unicorn cupcake decorating kits that she's donating to the event. Admission is free with advance registration at www.hfwf.me, or it will cost $5 at the door.

"The keiki learn directly from world-famous chefs what they do in the kitchen, find out from farmers where food comes from, participate in fun food activities and learn how food relates to health and lifestyle," says HFWF CEO Denise Yamaguchi.

Whalers Village and retailers have created special activities to round out the kid-friendly event, including a screening of the film, "Ratatouille"; lei making; grab-and-go snack making with Monkeypod Kitchen; craft activities with Ben Franklin; screen printing with Crazy Shirts; a tomato tasting with Maui farmer Justin Teixeira; and a 10 a.m. stage performance by Halau Hula Malani O Kapehe, according to a press release.

"Ka'anapali Resort is proud to welcome Keiki in the Kitchen to Whalers Village," adds Kekuna of KBRA. "It's never too early to get our kids inspired and excited about healthy, delicious food and to learn that where our food comes from matters!"

Maui County Farm Bureau will sponsor a tent to share the importance of agriculture in the community. Meet farmers and sample Upcountry greens and ripe mangoes.

On Oct 21, Symphony of Flavors will fill the air of the Hyatt Regency Maui Resort & Spa as the sun sets over the Pacific for this sit-down gala in Kaanapali.

The Hyatt's new Kitchen Stadium was built specifically for this event and will raise the bar for a six-course dinner that will hit all the right notes.

Hyatt Executive Chef Greg Grohowski will host Honolulu favorites Chris Kajioka and Anthony Rush of Senia along with Michelle Karr-Ueoka of MW Restaurant.

"The Hawaii Food & Wine Festival is a highlight for us each year," says Grohowski. "It's an opportunity to showcase the abundance of our local flavors and collaborate with chefs from around the state and country to create a culinary experience that will stay with guests long after they leave."

Other guest chefs will be David LeFevre of Fishing with Dynamite in Manhattan Beach, California, Rick Tramonto of Restaurant R'evolution in New Orleans and Blaine Wetzel of The Willows Inn on Lummi Island, Wash. Each course will harmoniously pair with wines by Southern Glazer's Wine & Spirits Hawaii.

* Carla Tracy can be reached at carlatracy@mauinews.com.

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Hawaii Food & Wine Festival on Maui at a glance:

• Roy's 21st Golf Classic: Tee off at the Ka'anapali Golf Course Oct. 19 and end up at the dinner/ awards ceremony in Roy' s Kaanapali.

• Spiked! Savor food by more than a dozen famous chefs at this walkabout at Sheraton Maui Resort & Spa on Oct. 20. Tickets range from $200 to $300. Top it off with a fireworks finale.

• Keiki in the Kitchen: From 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Oct. 21, this free and fun event for the whole family will transpire at Whalers Village.

• Symphony of Flavors:  As the sun sets, sit down to dinner with six culinary masters at Hyatt Regency Resort & Spa. Tickets range from $250 to $500.

• For reservations and more details:  Go online to www.hawaiifoodandwinefestival.com.

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