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ALL ABOUT KAANAPALI . . . About 1,200 thirsty people showed up Saturday under the stars at the Sheraton Maui Resort & Spa in Kaanapali for the Ultimate Ocean Vodka Cocktail Showdown with crazy-good music by Crazy Fingers and crazy-good makings by drink finalists and celeb chefs. The Best Pairing of food and drink went to Chef Lee Anne Wong of Koko Head Cafe on Oahu and mixologist Daniel Vincent.
The Best Dish was awarded to Hank’s Haute Dogs for its lobster dog. And the Best Cocktail went to Ross Steidel for his Salty Poi Dog drink.
Chef Wong is also announced as part of the lineup for the 2015 Hawaii Food & Wine Festival that transpires on the Big Island on Aug. 29, Maui on Sept. 4 to 6 and Oahu on Sept. 10 to 13. Co-founded by James Beard Award-winning chefs Roy Yamaguchi and Alan Wong, the fifth annual fest now has tickets on sale.
Other renowned chef talent will include Cat Cora of Cat Cora in Los Angeles; Michael Meredith of Meredith’s restaurant in Auckland, New Zealand; Michael Mina of the Mina empire on the Mainland; Masaharu Morimoto, the “Iron Chef” of Morimoto Maui; Charles Phan of The Slanted Door in San Francisco), Nancy Silverton of Mozza, Los Angeles; Christina Tosi of Momofuku Milk Bar, New York; Ming Tsai of Blue Ginger in Boston; and Yuji Wakiya of Wakiya in Tokyo.
Maui’s own movie star and manager to celebrity chefs and rock stars, Shep Gordon will be honored at a six-course feast by six of his famous friends at Hyatt Regency Maui Resort & Spa in Kaanapali as part of Hawaii Food & Wine Festival on Sept. 6. Chefs include everyone from Dean Fearing of Dallas to Celestino Drago of Los Angeles to Mark Tarbell of Phoenix.
By the way, the Hyatt Maui is now celebrating 35 years and offering deals, to boot. Starting Sunday through April 25, kamaaina may get $3.50 draft beer, canvas wines and well cocktails at Japengo during happy hour with valid Hawaii ID. You may also get a deal on the resort’s famous baked fish Eichenholz in lemon beurre blanc at Japango that week for $35.
Other deals include two tickets to the Tour of the Stars for $35 through the end of the month during the 8 and 9 p.m. shows only. And, you can get $35 off of VIP tickets to Drums of the Pacific Luau with online booking code 35YEARS for shows through mid June.
There are a few tables left for the 13th annual ‘Aipono Restaurant Awards gala on Sunday, April 26 at the Sheraton that will benefit Maui Culinary Academy. You don’t need a magic carpet to indulge in the Moroccan culinary theme of “Come With Me to the Casbah.” For tickets, call 242-8331 during business hours.
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AROUND THE TOWN . . . It’s that time of year again to kick-up your boots for the Carden Jamboree in Olinda, starting at 5 p.m. Saturday, April 25.
The Carden Academy Maui’s scholarship fundraiser is held each year at Oskie Rice Arena under big tents with plenty of paniolo decor.
Three’s Catering will barbeque smokin’ hot foods, and there will be live entertainment, dancing, auction and pie baking contest. It’s always a sellout, so call now for tickets starting at $100. Call 573-6651.
Formerly brewing lots of interest in Wailuku, the Tea Box has moved to Maui Mall in Kahului near the center court and facing the theaters. It will have a soft opening on Friday and be open seven days a week from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m., says owner Stevan Holt.
“We will feature over 80 teas and tisane, plus plenty of tea wares to make your tea experience awesome,” he says. “We will also serve freshly baked pies and pastries and will do high tea from 2 to 4 p.m. by reservation.” For further details, call 276-7643.
The Food Network’s “Rachel Ray’s Kids Cook-off” is now casting for the most talented kitchen kids in the country. For more details, visit www.jscasting.com.