Taste of Honolulu opens a three-day run tonight on the Honolulu Civic Center grounds.

The annual event, now in its 15th year, provides opportunities galore to sample Hawai'i's diverse culinary creations, including steak, chicken, ribs, salads, seafood and sweet treats prepared by restaurants and caterers. Food will be available in snack-size portions as well as combo-plate lunches.

A wide sampling of music — contemporary Island sounds, country dancing, traditional Hawaiian, homegrown salsa and blues — is also on tap. There will be friendly chef competitions and live TV coverage during the run as well.

"It's a mix of old and new," said Billie Gabriel, who has run the festival — a benefit for Easter Seals Hawai'i — for most of its existence. "We always have some of the favorites but also invite new restaurants."

Popular restaurants include well-known establishments large and small, including some mom-and-pop shops.

Vegetarian and healthy options will get a boost this year. Besides Down to Earth, Da Spot will provide healthy food and drink. Various other restaurants also plan to prepare vegetarian dishes.

Among the new participants: Korean restaurant Seoul Jung, from the Waikiki Resort hotel, and the Brazilian churrascaria Tudo de Bom.

Sake-tasting makes its debut this year, augmenting the wine and beer provisions.

In case the traffic snarls aren't incentive enough, here's another reason to come on two wheels instead of four: valet parking for cyclists.

"In the past, some bikers used to ride through the grounds, which could be dangerous," Gabriel said. "Now you bike, you pull up, you valet."

The tasting attraction continues to improve operations. Last year, attendance topped 52,000, Gabriel said.

"People often think bigger is better, but that's not necessarily so," she noted. "We're happy with a huge response; we also like it (when fewer attendees) spend more at the tastings. It's all about eating."

This carnival of grinds can inspire a feeding frenzy. Tasty aromas soar over the premises as smoke billows into the crowd. Everywhere, someone is chomping on something.

Savvy patrons follow the crowds to the popular vendors.

Gabriel says it's best to scout first, then line up for your first samples.

"You really should plan out what you're having," she said. There's always the possibility that you might favor something around the bend after partaking of, say, a combo plate.

Food and beverage purchases will be by scrip, so buy and spend judiciously.

Scrip costs $5 for nine.

Food items will sell for a minimum of three scrip, a maximum of nine for a combo plate lunch.

A premium Chefs du Jour option, offering preparations from seven chefs between 6:30 and 9:30 p.m. today and Saturday, already is sold out at $100 per person, said Gabriel. The premium price enables high rollers to savor food prepared by a top-tier cadre of chefs.

"What this offers is a sampling from seven chefs, wine-tasting, and a great place to sit — at the top of the hill," said Gabriel. About 400 per evening will taste gourmet fare this way.

Tonight's chefs include Hiroshi Fukui (Hiroshi Eurasion Tapas), D.K. Kodama (Sansei Seafood Restaurant & Sushi Bar and d.k Steakhouse) and Lance Kosaka (Alan Wong's). More notables include Dean Okimoto (Nalo Farms), Mark Okumura (Alan Wong's), Troy Terorotua (Troy's Real Cuisine) and Roy Yamaguchi (Roy's).

Saturday's slate includes Chai Chaowasaree (Chai's Island Bistro), Cyrus Goo (Cafe Laufer) and Elmer Guzman (Poke Stop). Also on the bill Saturday: Kevin Hanney (12th Avenue Grill), Randal Ishizu (J.W. Marriott Ihilani Resort & Spa), Jean-Pierre Maharibatcha (John Dominis) and Khamtan Tanh-chaleun (Hawaii Prince Hotel).

At some points during the run of the Taste of Honolulu, there will be live television coverage. Highlights will include coverage of a performance by Raiatea Helm at 7 today on "Hot Hawaiian Nights" (KFVE).

On Saturday, KHNL will broadcast from the event from 5 to 9:30 p.m.

For cooking enthusiasts, "Ready, Set, Cook" will feature TV general managers Rick Blangiardi (KGMB) and John Fink (KHNL) tonight, Mel Cabang and a local beauty queen Saturday. The buzz is that a sports superstar may also appear.

Easter Seals earmarks proceeds from Taste to support its youth services.

Gabriel hopes participating vendors won't run out of their offerings. Should there be leftovers, the food will be donated to Aloha Harvest to feed the homeless.

Reach Wayne Harada at wharada@honoluluadvertiser.com.