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WORLD OF CHEFS . . . Traveling to the Windy City this week with Maui Visitors and Convention Bureau Chef Exchange are three of our island’s talented chefs Michael Lofaro of Grand Wailea; Kyle Kawakami of Maui Fresh Streatery; and Jojo Vasquez of The Plantation House in Kapalua.
“The chefs are cooking for Chicago’s top travel agents and media contacts, as they will meet consumers at cooking demos planned during the big ‘Travel Adventure Show,’ ” says spokeswoman Charlene Ka’uhane.
“It’s all about showcasing Maui as a culinary destination, sharing our cuisine, food culture, hospitality and aloha with everyone we meet in the Windy City,” Ka’uhane explains about the excursion.
Lofaro, who is Grand Wailea’s executive sous chef under Executive Chef Ryan Urig, will return to help his boss host the second annual Celebrity Chefs Tour on Feb. 5 and 6 at the resort with some big names in the biz, such as Jonathan Waxman and Hubert Keller.
In addition master mixologist Manny Hinojosa will be shaking up nice cocktails as national brand ambassador for Cazadores Tequila and Bacardi portfolio to take the culinary weekend over the top.
Ka’anapali Beach Resort will present Vancouver celeb chef Vikram Vij in April at several events. He’ll do an Indian feast at Westin KOR’s Pulehu, an Italian Grill, an Indian Spice Cooking Class for Maui chefs at Hyatt Regency Maui and, a Meet Vikram Session for the general public about entrepreneurism and brand management at a venue to be announced along with farm visits and more. Tickets go on sale in February.
In the meantime, those attending the UB40 concert on Saturday at Maui Arts & Cultural Center will find Indian food by Star Anise Catering, such as chicken tikka Masala, Malaysian spicy coconut chicken curry plate and Goan lamb curry plate. Other food vendors that will start serving at 5:30 p.m. in the A&B Amphitheater that day will be Las Pinatas of Maui with Mexican cuisine; Ha Bi Bi of Haiku with hummus, falafels and lamb shawarma; Maui Hamburger Co. with juicy patties in buns; AK’s Cafe with blackened ono and Asian garlic noodles; and Shaka Pops and Maui Kazowie Kettlecorn with snacks. But no “cherry-oh-baby” pie is in the eclectic mix.
Stopwatch Sports Bar & Grill in Makawao has scored a new chef, Casey Lara, who cooked at Hali’imaile General Store and Mama’s Fish House, as well as a number of other Maui restaurants.
“He has infused our kitchen with great energy and even better flavors,” says Haru Hiu-Arian. “Our new lunch and dinner specials usually include an opakapaka preparation in a Pacific Rim style, delicious home-style soup-of-the-day and savory sandwiches or burgers, such as thin-sliced rib-eye cheesesteak.
Of course, Stopwatch is the Upcountry go to for Super Bowl Sunday, and manager Frank Border is still baking up a storm of his French apple and lattice-topped cherry pies, as well as an amazing cheesecake and molten lava cake ala mode, says Hiu-Arian.
Speaking of Super Bowl, the Cliff House that hangs out over the ocean at Montage Kapalua Bay is available for rent on the big gridiron weekend Feb. 7. Book the fabulous oceanfront hale in a package called Cliff House Memories, as you snorkel, whale watch and enjoy an inclusive meal as football action screens.
“If you book the package, you have access to the resort pool,” says Montage Marketing Manager Venus Bravo Yi. ” The guys can watch the game and the gals drink mai tais by the pool.” To reserve, call 662-6600.
‘Umalu at the Hyatt Regency Maui in Kaanapali will be a beachside sport destination for Super Bowl, too. Read more about foods for the big game day next week.