Side Orders • October 13, 2016
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SOME LIKE IT HOT . . . The 12th annual Maui Fire Department Chili Cook Off fundraiser for Shriners Hospital for Children at Maui Fair on Sunday was a hoot with emcees Trance Echevary and Mackie Mac of Jam 98.3 FM asking silly questions like "what do beans taste like?" and "what kine hot dogs are inside?"
Ben Marquez of Ka'ana Kitchen at the Andaz Maui won the professional division, beating out four-time previous winner Ryan Luckey of Leilani's, who tied for second place with Eric Morisette of Fleetwood's on Front St. who confirmed owner Mick Fleetwood does have a new partner in the restaurant biz. Marquez won a $500 prize. The public contest was judged by Daniel Chun and others. Chun is regional manager and community marketer of Alaska Airlines that gave a round-trip ticket for two to repeat winner Deborah Winckins.
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WINE UNCORKED. . . Join a fun and casual French wine tasting at Matteo's Osteria in Wailea Town Center from 5 to 7 p.m. Friday for $40 per person.
Owner Matteo Mistura, who was voted No. 1 chef on Maui in the current Best of Maui contest, will prepare some authentic Italian tastes, and Ed Mikesh, owner of neighboring Wailea Wine, will offer special bottle prices on the wines at his store for those who attend.
Call 879-0555 to reserve a spot at this limited event.
Oahu-based Master Sommelier Chuck Furuya will showcase his CF Wines along with his expert perspective on them at a special four-course pairing dinner at 6:30 p.m. Monday at Sansei Seafood Restaurant & Sushi Bar in Kihei. The cost of $53.95 per person includes tax and gratuity. You may call 879-0004.
By the way, former Maui chef Scott Lutey, now of Sansei Seattle, just won the Sam Choy Seattle Poke Contest with his miso-braised Kona baby abalone with blue fin tuna that is sustainable along with ogo, inamona, Hawaiian chili, taro crisp and tobiko.
"It was a great event," reports Chef Lutey. "There were about 250 attendees -- a mix of Seattle locals and Hawaii ex-pats. It's interesting to see how far poke has come in the last few years and it's continuing to gain in popularity all over the Mainland."
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BITS & PIECES . . . Pau Maui Vodka announces that the isle liquor is now extending sold at Trader Joe's in California in addition to BevMo, Total Wine and More, and HI Time Wine Cellars. Speaking of Pau, from 5 to 7 p.m. today, Cane & Canoe Bar at Montage Kapalua Bay will present Pau for Pink with Pau Maui Vodka master distiller Mark Nigbur. Enjoy a cocktail demo by mixologist Joey Gottesman of Young's Market Maui. Proceeds will go toward the Breast Cancer Research Foundation. Cost is $30 per person. For more details, you may call 662-6681.
The Shops at Wailea's got a Shop & Dine promo that gives you the opportunity to turn your shopping receipts into food and drink. Spend $300 or more Friday through Oct. 20 and you can redeem your receipts for a $25 gift card to any one of the following five restaurants: Tommy Bahama Restaurant & Bar, Longhi's Wailea, Cheeseburger Grille & Tap Room, Ruth's Chris Steakhouse and The Pint & Cork, which has a fab new Sunday breakfast complete with bloody mary bar.
You may redeem your receipts at the management office located near the Tori Richard outlet.
Love a meal deal? Restaurant Week Wailea is fast approaching Nov. 6 to 12 with multi-course discounted feasts at numerous top restaurants there, from Longhi's Wailea to Spago Maui.
Wailea resident Shep Gordon made the New York Times bestseller list with his new memoir, "They Call Me Supermensch," that was published by none other than his chef and TV star pal, Anthony Bourdain.
No, the proposed Wailea Kitchen & Tap is not a plumbing store. It will soon be the resort's newest restaurant and bar opening in the old Joe's Wailea location.
As it turns out, Masaharu "Iron Chef" Morimoto will be at his eponymous isle restaurant at Andaz Maui on Oct. 28 and 29, working with his staff to create a special menu that will then be presented on its third anniversary date of Nov. 5. Sorry about any confusion from a previous mention.