Top chefs cook up storm at charity event
By Walter Wright
Advertiser Staff Writer
Russell Keao celebrated his Lahaina Noon in Honolulu yesterday trying to make his shadow bigger.
Eugene Tanner • The Honolulu Advertiser
Keao was on Hopaka Street chowing down with more than 1,000 others when the sun passed directly over their heads at 12:28 p.m.
Chef Alan Wong prepared hamburgers yesterday at the Cuisine Celebration for Keiki, which helped raise money for Shriners Hospital and Malama Na Keiki. A dozen top chefs joined Side Street Inn proprietor Colin Noguchi at the event.
He and most of the rest were so preoccupied with the food from a dozen of Hawai'i's top chefs at a charity cookout that they didn't even notice the semiannual solar phenomenon.
The shadow of the burly Paradise Beverages worker was reduced to a black pool around his feet, despite Keao's efforts to enlarge it by consuming a concoction called a Kim Chee Short Rib Burger whipped up by chef Alan Wong.
Keao was taking part in the Cuisine Celebration for Keiki, the brainchild of Side Street Inn proprietor Colin Noguchi, to celebrate the 10th anniversary of the opening of his late-night establishment.
Net proceeds will go to Shriners Hospital and Malama Na Keiki.
"We thought this would be better than just having a party of our own," Noguchi said.
After all, lots of top-drawer cooks in town would come to Noguchi's party, because they sometimes head for his restaurant after closing their dining rooms and kitchens.
Keao had good reason to sample the cooking. His daughter, Tasha, 14, suffered a severe injury four years ago, had free surgery at Shriner's Hospital, and returns for annual examinations there.
"I know it's for a good cause," Keao said.
Reach Walter Wright at 525-8054 or wwright@honoluluadvertiser.com.
