QUICK BITES
Sommelier honors

By Wanda A. Adams
Advertiser Food Editor

Good news for Roberto Viernes, the unassuming and helpful sommelier for the Mariposa at Neiman Marcus. He won a silver medal June 7 in Las Vegas at the National Young Sommeliers Competition sponsored by Confrerie de la Chaîne de Rôtisseurs, one of the world's oldest food societies. The nine contestants, ages 23 to 32, participated in a written test (60 questions on wine, wine service and crafted beverages), a blind tasting (12 wines in which he had to identify varietal, vintage, country of origin and region) and selection of wines for three separate menus.

Viernes, a University of Hawai'i graduate with a degree in French, is one of a number of local wine stewards who are contemplating taking the grueling examination for master sommelier status.

Let's talk coffee

The Hawaii Coffee Association meets July 18-21 on Kaua'i to discuss "Hawai'i's Specialty Coffee in the Global Coffee Crisis" and other issues, including the ever-controversial topics of certification and truth in labeling. There will be a round table of executive chefs to discuss specialty coffees service in restaurants. A trade show will accompany the meetings. Information: Dick Petersen, 937-3184; Tim Martin, 335-0048; or www.hawaiicoffeeassoc.org (click on conference).

Musubi contest

Wabi-Sabi, the Kaimuki gift shop that celebrates "the beauty of things modest and humble," is sponsoring a musubi decorating contest and ume tasting Saturday. It will be a little "Musubi Kichigai" ("musubi crazy") that day. And the craziness has already started with a "Musubi Crossing Contest" that got under way last week and continues through July 31, during which time the object is to guess the number of ume and Spam musubi cutouts throughout the store.

Details on the musubi contest: Adults may enter in one of two categories — traditional (triangular shape) or rice sculpture (any shape). Children 12 and under can make any shape or type of musubi. However, all entries must use nori. Entries must be dropped off from 9 to 10 a.m. Saturday; judging will take place from 10 to 11 a.m. Public viewing and the ume tasting will go on from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Information: 734-3693 or Wabi Sabi, 1223 Koko Head Ave., No. 4.

Listen and eat

Upcoming special restaurant menus and events:

• "Tour de France, An Educational Dinner" designed to teach French wine basics, 6:30 p.m. July 17 at Indigo Eurasian Cuisine. The speaker will be Ian Blackburn of Kobrand Fine Wines & Spirits and the menu by Chef Glenn Chu includes passed hors d'oeuvres with champagne, an appetizer course served with Sancerre, salad, entree and dessert courses with paired wines. Tickets: $65, reserve by Friday. Information and reservations: 521-2900.
• "Chopsticks & Wine," wine, beer and food tasting and silent auction, a fund-raiser for the the Honolulu Japanese Chamber of Commerce, 6-8:30 p.m., July 29 at Bishop Museum. (Includes Wine 100 seminar.) Tickets: $60 until July 15, $70 at the door. Information and reservations: 949-5531.
• "Shellfish Wednesday" events take place every Wednesday this month and next at Sam Choy's Diamond Head restaurant with a variety of special seafood menu items created by chef Elmer Guzman. A tasting menu is available at $60; other items are available a la carte, as are new "Surf & Turf" combinations (steak and lobster, beef and scallops, short ribs and lobster). Information and reservations: 732-8645.
• Sam Choy's Breakfast, Lunch & Crab features a Hukilau Seafood Buffet every second Wednesday of the month from 6:30-9 p.m. with hula and live Hawaiian music. Cost: $27.95. Information and reservations: 545-7979.

Send items of culinary interest to Wanda Adams, Food Editor, Honolulu Advertiser, P.O. Box 3110, Honolulu HI 96802. Fax: 525-8055. E-mail: taste@honoluluadvertiser.com.