QUICK BITES
A taste of Taiwan
By Wanda Adams
Advertiser Food Editor
Eggs simmered in tea, crispy meatballs made of pork pounded to an elastic paste, cakes made of shredded taro and sticky rice, plums and jams candied in sweet syrup. These are among the regional specialities to be offered at the Taiwanese Food Festival, part of a cultural festival sponsored by the Taiwanese Association of America, Hawai'i Chapter, featuring demonstrations of metalwork-mosaic art, folks arts performances, karaoke and other events. From 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sunday, tasting booths will be arranged around McCoy Pavilion at Ala Moana Beach Park and those who purchase a $10 Taiwan Pass and sample all 12 dishes will be eligible for a prize drawing (first prize is a China Airlines roundtrip from Honolulu to Taipei).
India Pale Ale is best
Kona Brewing Co.'s Castaway India Pale Ale was named the best IPA in the country at the recent United States Beer Tasting Championships' ninth annual Summer Session competition.
Castaway IPA was awarded Best of the Northwest/Pacific in the IPA category, then advanced to the national finals, where it was named Grand Champion of IPAs.
Additionally, Longboard Lager, one of Kona Brewing's flagship beers, was honored as Best of the Northwest/Pacific in the Dortmunder/Helles group, and Hula Hefeweizen claimed an honorable mention in the wheat beer category.
The winning beers will be featured in an upcoming issue of the magazine All About Beer.
Market report
The Saturday Farmers' Market at Kapi'olani Community College got off to a booming start two Saturday ago with most vendors sold out by 9:30 a.m. despite the fact that the market is open from 8 a.m. to noon. Nalo Farms and Hiraoka Farms actually went back to their farms in Waimanalo to bring back more produce, and an estimated 4,000 people showed up. Planners say they're going to be strict about opening at 8 a.m. — and not before — so early birds don't buy everything up. And they're making efforts to draw in new suppliers and to offer more goods. Each week, a different chef brings a breakfast plate lunch operation to the market; this week, it's Russell Siu of Kaka'ako Kitchen doing Kaka'ako Kitchen Fried Rice with Scrambled Eggs, Char Siu Chicken Egg Foo Yong and assorted baked goods.
Guest chef teacher
Chef Celestino Drago of Drago Ristorante, Celestino Italian Steak House and Il Pastaio in Los Angeles, will teach a three-course demonstration menu from 2 to 4 p.m. Monday at the Culinary Institute of the Pacific at Kapi'olani Community College, 'Ohi'a Building 118. Dishes include artichoke timbale with Manila clam ragu, risotto with red beet and sweet shrimp and cold lemon soufflé with strawberries and limoncello liqueur. Cost is $45; $25 for Hale 'Aina 'Ohana members. Pre-registration is required: 734-9211.
Maui happenings
The original Sansei Seafood Restaurant & Sushi Bar in Kapalua, Maui, is undergoing renovations. The restaurant closed Sept. 21 and will re-open in mid-October.
The Kapalua Food & Wine Festival has a new host and master of ceremonies: Master sommelier Frederick L. Dame, a member of the Court of Sommeliers Worldwide. He assists restaurants and hotels in developing their wine programs through his work with Paterno Wines International.
Next year's festival is set for July 8-11 at Kapalua Resort.
Pros from Seattle
Chefs Scott Samuel and Gabriel Claycamp of Seattle will present a five-day hands-on cooking getaway Nov. 2-7 on a private estate on Maui. Samuel, owner of a private chef firm called Simply Brilliant, is former executive sous chef for the award-winning Herbfarm Restaurant in Woodinville, Wash. Claycamp is former sous chef of the Tasting Room in Manhattan and co-owner of Culinary Communion, a Seattle cooking school that hosts periodic retreats and getaways. The Maui event includes five hands-on cooking classes, two meals a day, excursions and accommodations for $1,795, double occupancy. Information: www.culinarycommunion.com/events.html or call (206) 284-8687.
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.
