Melanie Boudar, left, of Sweet Paradise Chocolatier, got the judges' nod for her World Flavors Bon-bons, and chef Amy Ota of O's Bistro took top honors at the 6th Annual Kona Chocolate Festival last month. Boudar's Bon-bons (how's that for a moniker?) won in the professional sweet category, melting away competition from more than two dozen entries. World flavors included a Thai Spice Truffle with coconut, lemongrass, kaffir lime, curry and galangal, a truffle called Zen with wasabi, ginger and sesame, a Tuscany with lemon basil and pink peppercorn and an Egyptian Pyramid with both white and dark chocolate layers, cumin, coriander, sesame, mint and peanuts. Boudar, a former diamond buyer, fell in love with chocolates on her regular visits to Antwerp, Belgium. A graduate of the Ecole Chocolat of Vancouver, British Columbia, and The Culinary Institute of America, Boudar now creates her chocolates in Volcano. Ota won in the savory category for her tamales with mole and seduced the judges' taste buds with her raw-chocolate macaroon, praised as being in a category all its own.

— Advertiser Staff

JACKIE'S KITCHEN

DINNER SERIES OFFERS A GOURMET EXPERIENCE

Jackie's Kitchen, at Ala Moana Center, has launched a Kitchen Dinner Club series. Switching from casual dining and bartender flair to a gourmet experience, the event pairs wines and sake with up to six courses, beginning with cocktails and pupu in the Bamboo Bar. Dinner courses are served in a private dining area. Chef Stephen "Mits" Hamada and general manager/chef Teresa Martine are planning themed menus that they will announce monthly through December. Jackie's Kitchen Dinner Club series is the third Tuesday of the month, $125 per person; limited to 40 diners. Reservations required: 943-2426.

— Advertiser Staff