Side Orders • February 9, 2017
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UP IN SMOKE. . . These smoldering words were not initially in the header that I wrote for this week's Side Orders column the first time around.
But my computer sparked, went black and I smelled smoke so now I'm "in the weeds," so to speak, trying to put out last-minute fires by rewriting this column and redesigning the Scene cover.
I had even interviewed Maui chef Sheldon Simeon before my computer fried and those notes are unfortunately only on my desktop. But I can rehash some of what was said and it's good news for him.
The owner-chef of Tin Roof in Kahului, Simeon will appear tonight on "Top Chef" as one of four remaining cheftestants who compete in the final elimination challenge. Sheldon's wife, Janice Simeon, will appear on the show with many of the other chefs' family members.
The episode winner will land a spot in the upcoming finals in Mexico and have his or her dish featured at the James Beard House in New York City. Sheldon also said fellow cheftestant John Tesar vacationed on Maui recently and the two had fun "chillin' out" and eating island cuisine.
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BITS AND PIECES . . There were celeb sightings galore in Wailea at the new Humble Market Kitchin in the rebranded Wailea Beach Resort -- Marriott, Maui. In fact, Roy Yamaguchi's new restaurant is in the same spot as MiGrant where Sheldon was before Tin Roof.
Roy's restaurant partner Shep Gordon was spotted dining with the "Son of a Son of a Sailor" Jimmy Buffet and movie star and Hollywood royalty Angelica Houston. A few nights before, a pop artist who is gigantic in her genre, Meghan Trainor, also dined at the new restaurant.
RAM's Got Talent fundraiser returns at 7 p.m. Saturday in Wailuku at Historic Iao Theater and word has it that Jennifer Nguyen and her Wonder Girls gang of lady dancers will jump on stage to defend their previous title. Nguyen is owner of A Saigon Cafe in Wailuku.
The RAM show raises money for student scholarship funds and for Maui OnStage's work at Iao. Tickets are $20 to $40. Visit www.ramsgottalent.com.
Newly rebranded Humuhumu at Grand Wailea will present its grand reopening on Friday as a benefit for the Boys & Girls Clubs of Maui. Cost of $100 will include a feast of modern Hawaiian seasonal cuisine by Chef Michael Lofaro -- and 100 percent goes to charity. For tickets, call Mandi Lyons at 874-2345.
Westin Ka'anapali Ocean Resort Villas announces it has a new chef de cuisine at Pulehu, An Italian Grill. In celebration, it will present the Nuova Folia, or "new leaf" in Italian, on Saturday.
The chef's tasting dinner will feature the cuisine of Jesse Pita in four courses that will include a parmesan wheel of pasta flamed right in front of guests. Dine from 6 to 8 p.m. for $55 per person. Pita is originally from Long Island, N.Y. Call 667-3254.
The Couples' Aerial Yoga class at Hotel Wailea, Relais & Chateaux at 5:30 p.m. Monday will feature aphrodisiac mocktails and a lover's kit by local company Queen Bee Maui. You must preregister online at www.upliftmaui.com.
White Orchid Wedding is presenting a sweet event on Valentine's Day by offering free wedding vow renewals oceanfront at the Old Lahaina Lu'au. Kamaaina rates are then available for the luau for $75 per person with a valid Hawaii ID. To book a spot, call 446-8161.
Handmade chocolate bon bons and other fancy pastries will be on sale for Valentine's Day at University of Hawaii Maui College Paina Arts Building from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday and Tuesday. Wish it was today. I sure could use a bon bon.