Posted on: Sunday, May 15, 2005
THE INSIDE SCOOP
Top chefs to help raise funds for Foodbank
By Simplicio Paragas
Dining Out Editor
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| While participating in this year's Taste of the NFL in Jacksonville, Fla., D.K. Kodama, far right, came up with the idea to do a similar event to benefit the Hawaii Foodbank. His upcoming fund-raiser is slated for May 27.
Courtesy of The Taste of the NFL "Great Chefs Fight Hunger" What: Fund-raiser for Hawaii Foodbank. When: Fri., May 27, starting at 5:30 p.m. Where: Restaurant Row, lawn area fronting Hiroshi's Eurasion Tapas Cost: $65 Tickets: Call Ticketmaster at 1-877-750-4400 or log on at ticketmaster.com |
However, a lack of time postponed Kodama's "Great Chefs Fight Hunger" fund-raiser, which has now been re-scheduled for Fri., May 27, starting at 5:30 p.m. at Restaurant Row on the lawn area fronting Hiroshi's Eurasion Tapas.
"We wanted it to be a big way to kick off that weekend," recalled restaurateur D.K. Kodama, who presented the event's concept to the Foodbank. "Helping to provide hunger relief is one of my favorite causes. So, I came up with this idea and ran with it."
His idea was based on the annual Taste of the NFL, an event that raises awareness and monies for the hungry. It's a program that Kodama has gladly participated during the past three years.
"The Taste of the NFL usually only happens in places that have an NFL team," explained Polly Kauahi, Hawaii's Foodbank's director of development. "We may not have an NFL team here, but we do have an NFL-caliber chef."
Also participating in the event will be Hiroshi Fukui of Hiroshi's Eurasion Tapas.
"We try to help out us much as possible," said Fukui, who left for San Francisco this past Thursday to cook for a Meals on Wheels event. "D.K. didn't have to twist my arm to participate in this event."
In fact, all the chefs readily volunteered their aprons and resources.
"This isn't like other events where the restaurants break out even," Kauahi said. "This a 100-percent donation from all these guys. This includes their food, their time and their staff."
Other participating restaurants will include Alan Wong's Restaurant, Chai's Island Bistro, Halekulani Hotel & Dining, Ihilani Spa at JW Marriott Ihilani Resort, Mariposa, Nalo Farms, Roy's Restaurant, Ruth's Chris Steakhouse, Side Street Inn, Sunset Grill and 3660 on the Rise.
The evening will also showcase fine wines, ales and martinis, as well as live entertainment.
All proceeds will benefit the Hawaii Foodbank, a non-profit agency that collects, warehouses and distributes both perishable and non-perishable food to help feed Hawaii's hungry. The organization helps feed more than 118,000 people statewide each week.
"We're hoping to sell 500 tickets," said Lori Kaya, the Foodbank's development and communications coordinator. "It's going to be a lot of fun and we're hoping that this event is the first of many more to come."
