Farm fair to feature Maui chef cook-off

Advertiser Staff

The 'Ulupalakua Thing, the state's longest-running agricultural festival, will be held at 'Ulupalakua Ranch and Tedeschi Vineyards from noon to 5 p.m. Saturday (10 a.m. to noon for members of the food industry, buyers and chefs). The event will feature approximately 100 vendors showcasing Hawai'i-grown products, plus contests, entertainment and food booths throughout the festival grounds.

A highlight of the event is the Chef's Challenge, an "Iron Chef" style cooking competition featuring the flavors of Maui. Participating chefs include Raul Bermudez of Five Palms Restaurant in Kihei, George Gomes of Sarento's On the Beach, Mark Kowalkowski of Hula Grill in Ka'anapali, and Eric Arbogast of Sansei Seafood Restaurant & Sushi Bar in Kihei.

Contests open to the public include Hawaiian veggie table arrangement, amateur floral design and "malama 'aina" (caring for the land) plant competitions.

Admission: $10, children under 12 free. Parking is free. Advance tickets are available this month. Four or more tickets can be mailed. Call the Maui Agricultural Foundation at (808) 878-2839, www.ulupalakuathing.com.

Sponsored by Aston Hotels & Resorts Hawaii, the event benefits the agriculture and culinary arts programs at Maui Community College and Maui's 4-H clubs. Kama'aina rates at Aston Hawaii's 10 properties on Maui range from $75 for a room at the Maui Lu Resort to $250 for a three-bedroom oceanview suite at Maui Hill in Kihei. Maui Ka'anapali Villas kama'aina rate is $96.

Reservations: (800) 321-2558, www.astonhotels.com, (800) 922-7866 from the Mainland, including Canada, for reservations.