Quick Bites
Former food editor publishes book
By Wanda A. Adams
Advertiser Foor Editor
Former Advertiser food editor Joan Namkoong has released her long-awaited book, "Go Home, Cook Rice: A Guide to Buying and Cooking the Fresh Foods of Hawaii" (Namkoong Publishing, paper, $20), based in part on stories she wrote during her seven-year tenure at The Advertiser. Namkoong began a round of book signings last weekend and has agreed to donate $1 from the purchase of every book to the Hawaii Foodbank.
"Go Home, Cook Rice" focuses on popular island foods, chapter by chapter (taro, ginger, rice and so on) and includes not only 70 recipes but the kind of solid background information for which Namkoong is known as a reporter. Grant Kagimoto of Cane Haul Road did the line drawings to illustrate the book and also has created an apron and T-shirts based on the book's cover.
Born and raised in the Islands, Namkoong graduated from Kailua High School and the University of Washington and was a co-founder/owner of The Compleat Kitchen here before becoming a food writer. Her goal with this, her second book, is to inspire others to "go home, cook rice," she said.
Macy's will collect food bank bucks
Macy's in Hawai'i also is supporting the Hawaii Foodbank with a Bag Hunger Hawai'i program now through Jan. 2 in which $1 and $5 coupons are available at registers in the stores. A $1 coupon is said to provide more than $20 in groceries to the food bank because of their bulk purchasing power and discounts they get; a $5 coupon provides more than $100 in grocery items. Information: 945-5894.
Flight attendants publish cookbook
The fifth edition of the "Hawaiian Airlines Flight Attendants' Cookbook" debuts today.
The volume reflects the cultural diversity of the attendants, with recipes that range from poisson cru (Tahiti) to Mama del Rocco's ricotta cake (Italy). Proceeds benefit families of American and United airlines flight attendants killed in the Sept. 11 attacks and Wings of Hope, an organization established by Hawaiian Airlines flight attendants and inflight staff to defray costs of medical treatment for critically ill attendants and their families.
The cookbook costs $12 plus $4 postage and handling. Make checks payable to A.J. Quinn and mail to P.O. Box 29723, Honolulu, HI 96820. Allow a couple of weeks for delivery. You can e-mail questions to whackdagrindz@yahoo.com. (Don't call the airline. This is an employee project independent of the company.)
Seafood brunch added at Parc Cafe
The Parc Cafe at the Waikiki Parc Hotel, known for reasonably priced brunches, has introduced a new Sunday seafood brunch buffet.
Prices are $25.95-$28.95, depending on entree, or $22.95 for the brunch without one of the 11 special entrees. Keiki ages 5-12 pay $1 per year of age. Children under 4 eat free. The brunch includes oysters on the half shell, shrimp cocktail, an assortment of poke and sushi from the hotel's Kacho restaurant. Salads, starches and pastries round out the menu. Reservations: 931-6643.
Headdress ball to feed the hungry
Still more support for a food bank, this time the one on the Big Island, comes from the 4th annual Carmen Miranda-inspired Gala Food Bank Headdress Ball, set for August 2002 (no firm date yet).
This focal point of the light-hearted event, co-sponsored by the Hilton Waikoloa Village, which donates the ballroom each year, is a headdress contest in the spirit of the Brazilian actress known for her fruity coif-toppers. There will be salsa dancing, a dinner prepared by key Kohala Coast chefs and proceeds benefit the Hawai'i Island Food Bank. Information: (808) 885-0018 or e-mail oconger@aloha.net.
Quick Bites appears in the Taste section each Wednesday. Send items of culinary interest to Wanda A. Adams, Advertiser food editor, P.O. Box 3110, Honolulu, HI 96802. Fax: 525-8055. E-mail: taste@honoluluadvertiser.com.
