QUICK BITES
Onion festival returns in August
By Wanda A. Adams
Advertiser Food Editor
The annual Maui Onion Festival is set for Aug. 3-4 at the Whalers Village in Ka'anapali in celebration of all things onion. The centerpiece event is the recipe contest (I'll be among the judges this year and already am stocking up on breath mints). Hours for the event are 11 a.m.-6 p.m. both days, events are free and there will be a raw Maui Onion eating contest, a booth selling fresh, crisp Maui onion rings and entertainment. Produce and flower booths will be staffed by members of the Maui Onion Growers Association. Information: (808) 661-4567 or visit whalersvillage.com and click on Maui Onion Festival.
In other Neighbor Island news: The second annual American Beer Month Brewmaster Dinner, hosted by Kona Brewing Co., will take place at 6 p.m. July 31 at the Kona Brewing Co.'s pub in Kailua, Kona. The event includes a four-course dinner, a discussion of pairing beer with food and of cooking with beer, plus beer with every course. Tickets are $40 and the event is expected to sell out so reserve early. Reservations: (808) 334-2739. ... Leilani's on the Beach, one of Maui's oldest restaurants, is celebrating its 20th anniversary. It's right next to Ka'anapali Beach, a casual fish and steakhouse.
Keep your Ben & Jerry's safe
Got a problem with ice cream-nappers around the house? Check out Ben & Jerry's Euphori-Lock. The combination lock is a collar that bonds to the top of the pint — it actually works. You can get the plastic devices for $5.50 at www.benjerry.com.
You might need it when you bring home Ben & Jerry's new Core Concoctions — ice cream pints with a deadly middle. Karamel Sutra is a chocolate-and-caramel ice cream with a caramel core. Peanut Butter Me Up, with its peanut butter core surrounded by chocolate and peanut butter ice cream, offers more than a racy name. Fudge Central touts a fudge truffle core wrapped in chocolate and vanilla ice cream. They are enough to give anyone brain freeze.
A way to reduce seafood depletion
Conservation-minded seafood eaters concerned about depletion of certain fisheries can get a free seafood wallet card to help them choose what fish or shellfish to buy when dining out or shopping.
The card, from the National Audubon Society's Living Oceans program, ranks 30 popular species according to "OK to eat" (green); "some problems, let your conscience be your guide" (yellow) and "avoid eating" (red).
To get the card, call (888)397-6649 or download a copy at www.audubon.org/campaign/lo/seafood/cards.html, where you'll also find details on selections and rankings.
Starbucks offers free coffee drinks
Starbucks is offering free samples of its Frappuccino drinks — mocha and caramel flavors — at events this summer including the Jamba Banana Man Chase,
8 a.m.-10 p.m. Sunday at Ala Moana Beach Park; Starbucks Taste of Jazz concert, 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m. July 12, in front of Bank of Hawaii downtown, Bishop and King streets; Art Spree at the Contemporary Museum, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. July 13 and Starbucks Taste of Jazz Concert, 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m. July 13, Kahala Mall stage. Starbucks stores also are offering a free frappuccino with every purchase of any commuter mug (through Aug. 31).
Chefs seen in Beard magazine
Pictured in the latest Beard House magazine: chef George Mavrothalassitis and staff, who were cooking Beard House's dinner in honor of Good Housekeeping editor Susan Westmoreland. Also: Beverly Gannon of Hali'imaile General Store, Mark Ellman of Maui Tacos, James McDonald of i'o and Pacific'O. Hawai'i's rusty-brown ala'e salt got a mention in a story on salt.
Send items of culinary interest to Wanda Adams, Honolulu Advertiser, P.O. Box 3110, Hono-lulu, HI 96802. Fax: 525-8055. E-mail: taste@honoluluadvertiser.com.
