QUICK BITES
Agriculture's future topic of conference
By Wanda A. Adams
Advertiser Food Editor
Hawai'i farmers will gather with local and national experts Oct. 24 at the Sheraton Waikiki Hotel to discuss "New Markets for Hawai'i Farmers." The daylong gathering will feature sustainable agriculture expert John Ikerd, futurist Jim Cannon, farmer Jim Reddekopp, food writer Joan Namkoong and Brent Warner of the British Columbia Ministry of Agriculture and Food. tickets: $125 (or $50 lunch only). Registration: 732-2294.
Festival guests include producer
More news from the Big Island Festival: Rochelle Brown, producer of numerous TV Food Network shows, including "Emeril Live!", will introduce her book, "The Chef, the Story and the Dish" at the event. The book is a behind-the-scenes visit with 20 top chefs, including local boy Sam Choy, including a Q&A with each, and recipes. She will conduct seminars at the event, entitled "Behind the Scenes with America's Favorite Chefs." Kama'aina passes to the five-day festival — which includes tastings, seminars, farm tours, appearances by celebrity chefs, golf and spa events and special touring excursions — are priced at $200. Log onto www.bigislandfestival.com or call toll-free (866) 424-3378.
Restaurant specials
- Sansei Seafood Restaurant & Sushi bar locations here and on Maui are preparing for Halloween parties, each with its own character. The Kapalua original restaurant is planning a Halloween Costume and Karaoke Contest from 10:30 p.m. to midnight. The Kihei location will have a Karaoke Contest from 10 p.m. to midnight. All sushi and late-night food items will be at half price during that time period. In Honolulu at Restaurant Row, a Halloween Late Night Party is planned in the Sushi Lounge with disc jockeys spinning R&B, hip-hop and house sounds from 10 p.m. to 2 a.m. and a half-off special on sushi and late-night menu items from 10 p.m. to 1 a.m.
- But even before Halloween comes Boss's Day, which is today. L'Uraku is celebrating with an offer valid through Friday: Bosses eat at half price.
- And then, of course, there's Oktoberfest: Compadre's is celebrating with an Oktoberfest quesadilla featuring kielbasa sausage, sauerkraut jack cheese and honey mustard chili sauce.
- On Maui, Mañana Garage is offering half off all dinner entree prices on Sundays and Mondays through Nov. 8 and a Fall Early Bird Lunch Special of 25 percent off all lunch food items ordered by 11:25 a.m. weekdays through the end of the year.
- La Mer at the Halekulani Hotel is among 74 restaurants participating in the Louis XIII de Rémy Martin Ultimate Dinner program, a benefit for the James Beard Foundation. Chef Yves Garnier has designed a progression of dishes on the special tasting menu, culminating in a glass of Rémy's top-of-the-line cuvée. Cost is $150 per person.
In the news ...
- Mauna Kea Resort has canceled its 10th annual Winter Wine Escape, originally scheduled for Nov. 14-16. It was a business decision based on costs of the lavish event: "We regret any inconvenience this decision brings ... we can no longer afford to do things a certain way just because that's the way we've always done them," explained Charles Park, general manager for hotel operations at the resort.
- Kelvin Ro, chairman of Ho'okipa 2002, the recent fund-raiser for Kapi'olani Community College's culinary program, says the event surpassed its goal of $100,000. More than 500 attended the grazing dinner and show at the Royal Hawaiian Hotel.
Quick Bites is published every Wednesday in The Advertiser's Taste section. Food editor Wanda A. Adams welcomes tidbits of food news. Write her at The Advertiser, P.O. Box 3110, Honolulu, HI 96802, phone: 525-8069 or e-mail taste@honoluluadvertiser.com.
