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The Honolulu Advertiser
Posted on: Wednesday, August 27, 2003

QUICK BITES
Culinary Experience tours Big Island

By Wanda A. Adams
Advertiser Food Editor

The Big Island Culinary Experience, focused on educating kama'aina and guests about island-grown foods, is set for Sept. 10 to 14 at the Hilton Waikoloa Village, under the direction of executive chef "Willie" Pirngruber. Among the events: an Upcountry Chef's Tour on Sept. 11 with Pirngruber, organized by expedition outfitters Hawaii Forest and Trail, and including a tour of the Parker Ranch, Waimea town and Habein's Livestock Co., and a paniolo barbecue. Cost is $130, including tour, refreshments, lunch and transportation from Hilton Waikoloa Village.

The Kona Coffee Plantation Tour and Chocolate Demonstration is set for 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sept. 12, with pastry chef David Brown hosting a tour of a coffee plantation and a picnic lunch there, followed by a tour of Kailua Candy Co., which uses Hawai'i-grown chocolate. Cost is $130, including tour, refreshments, lunch and transportation from Hilton Waikoloa Village. Attendance is limited; reservations are required: (808) 886-1234 or visit www.HiltonWaikoloaVillage.com.


Rare all-matsutake dinner planned

Kaiseki — seasonal, multi-course dinners — are common at traditional Japanese restaurants. At this time of year, incorporating matsutake (pricey pine mushrooms) is common. But Chef Yuji Urawa of Kacho Restaurant, a hidden gem of Japanese cuisine at the Waikiki Parc Hotel, next week will do the most uncommon: prepare a seven-course Kyoto-style kaiseki in which every dish features the coveted matsutake. The special feature runs Sept. 3 through 30 at Kacho. Price: $70. Reservations: 924-3535.


Turtle Bay gets renovation panache

Got a chance a few weeks ago to visit Turtle Bay Resort, being rediscovered by kama'aina now that it's been renovated (rooms done in plantation-meets-Tommy-Bahama style) and the food program revamped by executive chef Andrew Manion-Copley, formerly of the Lodge at Koele on Lana'i. Was most impressed by his 21 Degrees North signature restaurant, where the Asian-inspired dishes were handled with a particularly light and sophisticated hand. (The bar also does 21 different martinis, but don't try them all in one night.)

The popular Sunday brunch continues in the Seatide Room. Check it out; a number of kama'aina specials are offered through the year, including some that give partial dining credit with room reservations. Information: www.turtlebayresort.com. Reservations: 293-8811.


Seafest specials at Compadres

Compadres Bar & Grill at Ward Centre is offering a Summer Seafest with special menu items this month, featuring oyster shots topped with salsa, fried oysters when available, a bay shrimp and poached scallop salad, salmon in green sauce, Veracruz-style fish and fish tacos. Reservations: 591-8307.


Neighbor Islands

Mai-tai contest at Waikoloa Marriot

A competition between professional mixologists (bartenders with formal training) is set to determine Hawai'i's Greatest Bacardi Mai Tai at the Waikoloa Beach Marriott on the Big Island; preliminaries were held earlier this month and bartenders from O'ahu, Kaua'i and the Big Island are participating. The free competition takes place from 3 to 5 p.m. at the hotel on Aug. 29. A Mai Tai Lu'au and jazz concert will be held that night and a golf tournament the next day. Grand-prize winners will receive a Las Vegas trip and their creations will be served at Hawai'i Marriotts. Ticket prices and reservations: (808) 886-6789.


Taste of Lahaina moves to new spot

The Taste of Lahaina culinary festival is set for 5 to 10 p.m. Sept. 12 and 13 on the grass at the Lahaina Recreation Center Park II — a new, cooler and more natural location at the foot of the West Maui Mountains, and one with more parking. This part of the park, behind the Lahaina Soccer Field, opened last fall. There will be a Keiki Fun Zone run by volunteers.

Tickets, on sale at the event only, are $3; children under 6 free.

Taste proceeds benefit youth activities, including Wednesday is Tutoring Day in Lahaina. Volunteers are being sought now; (808) 667-9175.


Art of chefs, from galley to a gallery

The Ka'anapali Resort will host the Maui Chefs Present event at 6:30 p.m. Sept. 5 on the ocean at the Hyatt Regency Maui Resort & Spa's Napili Gardens. The dinner, auction and entertainment ($105 per person) is themed

You 'Art' What You Eat and features 12 chefs creating an "art exhibit" with food, as well as serving signature dishes for the grazing dinner. The silent auction beneficiary is the Cancer Institute Alliance and other Maui charities benefit from the proceeds of the dinner. Tickets:

LahainaTown Action Committee, (808) 667-9175. Information: www.kaanapaliresort.com (click "promotions") or www.visitlahaina.com.


Punalu'u bakery expands its menu

Billing itself as the southernmost bakery in the United States, Punalu'u Bakeshop and Visitor Center in Na'alehu way down toward the tip of the Big Island is expanding both its space and its product selection. This is the place where that 'ono Punalu'u sweetbread is made. A renovated dining area will offer covered seating for up to 80 and the menu has expanded to plate lunches, sandwiches and vegetarian fare along with baked goods, of course. There's a gift shop with locally made products and you can watch the bakery operation through a viewing window.

Quick Bites is published on Wednesdays. Send tidbits of food news to food editor Wanda A. Adams, The Advertiser, P.O. Box 3110, Honolulu, HI 96802; wadams@honoluluadvertiser.com or 535-2412.