QUICK BITES
Sweets store joins Ward Village Shops
By Wanda A. Adams
Advertiser Food Editor
Swirl, a new shop founded by Aaron Kwun, opened earlier this month at Ward Village Shops. His sweet creations are based on those he enjoyed in childhood, including homey stuff such as caramel-dipped apples (made to order), Rice Krispies treats and cookies. Hours are 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Sundays through Thursdays, 10 a.m. to 11 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays.
Big Island Festival begins on Nov. 5
The Big Island is the place to be for foodies next week with the second annual Big Island Festival opening Nov. 5 and continuing through Nov. 9 at the resorts of the Kohala Coast.
Guests this year again include Food & Wine magazine's Best New Chefs (eight of the dozen names in 2003) and Bellagio Resort mixologist Tony Abou-Ganim (his demos are fun, but you learn a lot, too).
New this year will be Keith Famie of "Keith Famie's Adventures" on the Food Network, better known as the cook from "Survivor." Famie is hosting a segment of his show from 11 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Nov. 9 at the Mauna Lani Bay Hotel & Bungalows' CanoeHouse Restaurant.
Among local stars invited to participate: Fred De Angelo of Tiki's Grill & Bar, Michael Fennelly of Restaurant Kaikodo, DK Kodama of Sansei Seafood Restaurant & Sushi Bar, George Mavrothalassitis of Chef Mavro, Peter Merriman of Merriman's, Russell Siu of 3660 on the Rise and Daniel Thiebaut of Daniel Thiebaut Restaurant.
You can buy tickets to individual events or passes that include groups of events: $350 platinum pass includes five events; $140 kama'aina pass include two daytime events; and there's a golf-tournament pass that also includes the closing event for $145.
Reservations: (866) 424-3378 or www.bigislandfestival.com.
Win a meal with your tiki costume
Dress like a tiki at the 2003 'Ilima Awards Best New Restaurant, Tiki's Grill & Bar, on Friday night and you'll eat free — at least up to a $20 value. Whether you score a free meal depends on the creativity and effort in your tiki costume design. Tiki's is at Aston Waikiki Beach Hotel, 2570 Kalakaua Ave. Reservations: 923-8454.
Kona Coffee event set to open Nov. 7
The annual Kona Coffee Cultural Festival on the Big Island begins Nov. 7 with its International Lantern Parade and continues through Nov. 16 with events including tastings and demonstrations, a cooking competition, coffee-picking and cupping contests, farm tours and benefit events at various sites around Kona town and in the coffee-growing regions. Festival buttons, at $3, allow free or lower-priced admission; they're available all over Kona and at every Coffee Festival event.
Of particular interest to those who enjoy cooking: KTA Super Stores Kona Coffee Recipe Contest is at 2 p.m. Nov. 9 at the Ohana Keauhou Beach Resort (free with festival button). And at the Kona Coffee Culinary Invitational, 10 Big Island chefs will create a new menu item — one they commit to serving in their restaurants. This event will be from 6 to 8 p.m. Nov. 12 at the Ohana Keauhou Beach Resort; $35 in advance, $40 at the door with festival button. Details: www.konacoffeefest.com.
Hula Girl hot sauce an award winner
Jill's Country Kitchen of Ocean View on the Big Island has won a major product award: Grand Prize Golden Chile for best overall product for their Hula Girl Chipotle-Habanero Hot Sauce. The award was handed out at Chile Pepper Magazine's annual Fiery Foods Challenge in Fort Worth, Texas, earlier this month. The sauce, made by the 20-year-old business best known as a wholesale bakery, also claimed first place in the "chile specific hot sauce" category.
Reach Wanda A. Adams at 535-2412 or wadams@honoluluadvertiser.com.
