It’s not everyday 32 world-class chefs, four master sommeliers, nine top-tier winemakers, mixologists, local farmers, artisan food producers, food writers, foodies — and an “Top Chef” competitor — from around the world converge in one place.
But they did — at the first event of the inaugural Hawaii Food & Wine Festival held in various locations on Oahu.
Last night’s event — The Streets of Asia: Morimoto & Friends presented by Hawaiian Airlines — featured a range of small plates from such notables as Iron Chef Masaharu Morimoto (kakuni steam bun with 10-hour braised pork belly and local picked vegetables), Mourad Lahlou of Aziza (slow-poached prawns, corn pudding, zhug, bonito emulsion and ikura), and Charles Phan of The Slanted Door (fish vermicelli with turmeric, dill and scallion).
It was a swanky night at the Modern Honolulu, with food stations lining the hotel’s Sunrise Pool and butoh-style dancers in Southeast Asian garb entertained guests throughout the venue.
There were politicians, educators, food writers, magazine editors, business owners, restauranteurs, bloggers — the crowd was as eclectic as the food offerings.
Even “Top Chef” Marcel Vigneron (@marcelvigneron) was lurking in the VIP areas.
The festival continues today and Saturday with a visit to the Heeia fishpond, wine tastings, seminars, coffee and chocolate tastings, a master chefs gala dinner and a grand tasting on the final night.
I think I need a nap!
Here’s what Streets of Asia looked like:
For more information about the event, visit www.hawaiifoodandwinefestival.com.
6 Comments
Ate Japanese in Cary, NC today. So checking this out was with the theme of the day. Nothing better than good food and good company… especially if it is on a boat sailing Oahu to Kauai.
I thought you were going to mention something about golfing… LOL
You guys look amazing. A pact with Satan and 4 months with Oprah’s personal trainer couldn’t get me looking like you, Jason, and Lance. The other pictures, FUUD and all, are great too.
I don’t think four months with Oprah’s trainer did Oprah any good! LOL!
CAT: Note to Alan Wong: Cat is on your left in the pix.
LOL. I don’t think he would recognize me if he saw me again — even with a nametag!