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WINNERS, ALL . . . Do you love a cuppa? Maui is producing some stellar beans, as indicated by results of the recent Hawaii Coffee Association Conference & Cupping Competition on the Big Island.
Taking the lead for Maui growers this year was Tambra Gardens /Kula Beans, owned and operated by Tama and Don Brandeburg.
“Besides placing first on Maui, they also placed ninth in the very competitive, statewide Creative Division,” says David Gridley, owner of Maui Oma Coffee Roasters and HCA’s cupping committee chairman. “Second place on Maui went to Keokea Farms – owned and operated by Ann Ashley and Raphael Escobar.”
Maui’s third-place winner was Michelle Steuermann of Punawai Farms. And coming in 10th in the statewide Commercial Division of Kimo Falconer and his Washed / Maui Mokka at MauiGrown.
“The entire field of entries seems to improve every year and I applaud all the coffee farmers of Hawaii for their remarkable efforts,” Gridley continues. “In addition, the Maui Coffee Association’s Seed To Cup coffee festival will be coming up from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Aug. 15 at the Maui Tropical Plantation in Waikapu.”
Coffee lovers should note the admission is free, there will be lots of demos, live music and a coffee-infused menu by The Mill House’s chef Jeff Scheer and even a coffee beer by Maui Brewing Co.
Speaking of Maui Brewing Co., James Furnish, chef at its Kahana brewpub, won the 2015 CASI Hawaii State Chili Championship recently at Ulupalakua Ranch. His chili won by a large margin over the others, according to event promoter Larry Lutz.
“We had 17 entries total and it was a great mix of home cooks and restaurants,” continues Lutz. “The sixth place winner, Bill Koellhoffer (Devil’s Ice Cream Chili), was also voted People’s Choice.” Chef “Chewy” Cereceres of Charley’s Restaurant & Saloon in Paia came in fourth place with Charley’s Delight Chili.
“Coconut Glen” Simkins of the Bubble Bus in Paia held an ice cream contest. Winners were Amanda Valenty, creator of peanut butter and jellies ice cream; and Gerit Williams with curried mint and crystallized ginger ice cream. Speaking of things cool and creamy, Fustini’s Oils & Vinegars in The Shops at Wailea will host a Pie and Ice Cream Social from 6 to 8 p.m. Friday. The free event will feature slices by the new Maui Pie Co. and ice cream by Lappert’s.
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BITS AND PIECES . . . At the new Longhi’s Front Street Kitchen downstairs in Lahaina, kamaaina are getting 50 percent off the new world cuisine dinner menu by chef Derek Watanabe, formerly with Alan Wong’s.
Maui Fish & Pasta at Whalers Village in Kaanapali has closed. “We enjoyed serving visitors and local residents at this beachside location for the last six years,” says owner D.K. Kodama. “We hope that Maui Fish & Pasta patrons will dine with us at our Sansei Seafood Restaurant & Sushi Bar locations in Kapalua and Kihei.”
DK Restaurants Hawai’i owns four Sansei locations on three islands and will open its first Mainland location in Seattle this year. VINO Italian Tapas & Wine Bar is set to reopen on Oahu next month.
The Maui News’ “Best Chef on Maui” Mike Lofaro of Humuhumunukunukuapua’a at the Grand Wailea was starstruck last weekend as Hubert Keller of “Top Chef” fame on Bravo TV and winner of James Beard Foundation’s “Best Chef California” dined there.
Lofaro says Keller and his wife loved the spicy sesame beef with tropical fruit escabeche and the Thai basil, pickled cucumber and carpaccio of Japanese hamachi with yuzu, Hawaiian chili and celery-ginger shaved ice.
By the way, Keller will appear at the Hawaii Food & Wine Festival on Sept. 13 at Ko Olina Resort on Oahu. The Maui portion of the festival runs Sept. 4 to 6 at Ka’anapali Resort venues. Tickets are selling fast. For more details, visit www.hawaiifoodandwinefestival.com.