Side Orders • November 17, 2016

SWEET AS PIE . . . There were two, well, actually three, stars of the show at the Life is Sweet benefit for Best Buddies Hawaii on Saturday in the central mall part of The Shops at Wailea.

Winning the No. 1 dessert was four-time repeat champ and Fairmont Kea Lani Pastry Chef Ricky DeBoer with his brown butter banana cake with banana-Q cream, butter salted caramel macaron, brulee of banana and nutella powder with chocolate streusel. Wow! And a version of it is on the menu at Ko in the Fairmont.

The second place winner was Pastry Chef Bruce Trouyot of Four Seasons Resort  who beguiled judges with a chocolate piece de resistance.

Of course, the third star of the show was emcee and fellow judge and Olympian Carl Lewis, who was gracious and kind and as sweet as pie.

Are you overwhelmed by the thought of baking your own Thanksgiving pies? Let the talented pastry students at the Maui Culinary Academy slave over a hot stove while you hit the beach.

Dessert lovers must preorder pumpkin, apple and pecan holiday pies and pumpkin cheesecake at the Sugar Cubed Cafe in the Pa'ina Building on the Kahului campus from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. today, Friday, Monday or Tuesday. Pickup is between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. Wednesday. You will need to present a receipt to receive your order.

Do you require or crave gluten-free foods for the holidays? The Maui Sugar Shop in Lahaina is a gluten-free bakery using organic ingredients for stuffing, pies and even sides like cranberry relish, mashed potatoes, gravy and green beans. Order ahead. For further  details, call 662-0033.

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BITS & PIECES . . On Sunday, the chefs at Seascape Maalaea restaurant will be flipping flapjacks at a breakfast for Boy Scouts Local Troop 808. Come in the side entrance to dine there from 8 to 10 a.m. on buttermilk pancake stack piled three high with orange juice or coffee for $8 (advance purchase price). A silent auction and live music will add to the benefit fun. For tickets, call 280-6241 or email brad.breitback@ gmail.com.

Would you like delivery of food by some of Maui's top restaurants in less than an hour? Then Hopper Maui is the company to do it for you in South Maui from 5 Palms to Monsoon India. Through November all orders made at www.hoppermaui.com will get a $10 gift certificate good for a future purchase. Open from noon to 9 p.m. from Monday to Saturday, Hopper Maui will be closed on Thanksgiving.

Can't wait for turkey day? Then take a drive to Leoda's Kitchen & Pie Shop in Olowalu and pick up a complete feast any Thursday throughout the year, first come first served.

The meal is Leoda's signature stuffing (made with their famous bread, of course), mashed potatoes, cranberry sauce and turkey breast -- all layered under rich pan gravy.  "Round out your turkey dinner with a mini pumpkin pie all for the  $19.75 price," says Rosie Robbins, general manager.

Pacific Cancer Foundation is once again hosting its Aloha Kalikimaka benefit gala. This year it will be held from 5 to 10 p.m. Saturday at the Yokouchi Family Estate in Wailuku. Food for the Soul Catering will do ahi tartare cups, caprese skewers, fresh mahimahi with local mango beurre blanc, marinated ribeye steak and more.

"This evening is so spectacular as well as dear to our hearts," say Food for the Soul's Tina and Rob Digman. The cost of $200 ($100 tax deductible) includes a Burn 'n Love Elvis show, food, wine, auction and more. Call 242-7661 or email development@pacificcancerfoundation.org.

* Got restaurant / dining-event scoop?

Call Dining Editor Carla Tracy at 242-6342; or email carlatracy@mauinews.com.