Honolulu Festival Friendship Gala – Tomorrow!

Note: Forgive me if I’m a little frazzled this morning. Both of my parents are currently in Japan and my sister and I are having a hard time getting a hold of them… 😦

If you’re a foodie (or just hungry!) and looking for something fun to do (and grind) tomorrow night, check out the Honolulu Festival Foundation’s Friendship Gala tomorrow evening!

Honolulu Festival Friendship Gala – Tomorrow!

As mentioned on their web site, the objective of the Gala is to “promote friendship and international goodwill between the people of Hawaii and the Pacific Rim region. Festival participants are offered a unique insight into the cultures of the region through dance, song and regional cuisine by some of Hawaii’s most famous chefs and restaurants.”

In other words, it’s your chance to take in exciting entertainment from the Pacific Rim’s best, while stuffing your face with ono kine grindz from some of the state’s top chefs and restaurants! Check out this star-studded line up and their respective menus for the night!

• Chef Masaharu Morimoto (Morimoto Waikiki | @chef_morimoto): Steamed Bun with Kakuni (10 hour braised pork belly)
• Chef Marc Anthony Freiberg (Mariposa at Neiman Marcus): Mustard Seed Crusted Nairagi (striped marlin), Steamed Clams, Braised Greens, Golden Tomato & Caramelized Fennel, Roasted Beet & Rhubarb Chutne
• Chef Roy Yamaguchi (Roy’s Hawaii Kai | @OriginalRoys): Satay Shrimp with Luau Leaf Curry
• Chef Leighton Miyakawa (Ruth’s Chris Steak House | @ruthschrisHI): Ruth’s Seared Tenderloin Served with Potatoes au Gratin
• Chef Russell Siu (3660 on the Rise): Sake Marinated Salmon, Spicy Yuzu Ginger Sauce
• Chef Johan Svensson (BLT Steak | @BLTSteakWaikiki): Grilled Hanger Steak on a Bed of Jalapeno Mashed Potatoes Topped with Grilled Pineapple
• Chef Nobu Matsuhisa (Nobu Waikiki | @NobuWaikiki): Lobster Miso Soup
• Chef Eiji Kato (Shokudo | @Shokudo): California Roll with Live Demonstration (Avocado, Crabmeat, and Cucumber wrapped in sushi rice and nori topped with masago)
• Chef Steve Hessenflow (The Cheescake Factory): Godiva Chocolate Cheesecake (Layers of Flourless Godiva Chocolate Cake and Godiva Chocolate Cheesecake, Topped with Godiva Chocolate Mousse)
• Chef Akiko Kimura (Patisserie La Palme D’or): Lemon Tarte or Panna Cotta

In addition to delighting the senses in your noses and mouths with the eats above, the following list of entertainers will be on hand to treat your eyes and ears to even more!:

• Hoku Zuttermeister, Na Hoku Hanohano Award Winner (Hawaii)
• Hawaii United Okinawa Association (Hawaii)
• Dai Hirai, Ukulele Player (Japan)
• SUGAREN, Yosakoi Dance (Koch, Japan)
• Sonoda Gakuen High School, Dance Performance (Hyogo, Japan)
• Sushi Demonstration, Shokudo Restaurant

Honolulu Festival Friendship Gala – Tomorrow!

Looks fun right? I went last year and it was an explosion of food & culture I’ve never experienced before! I am SOOOOOOO looking forward to it again tomorrow! See y’all there!

WHO: YOU!
WHAT: Honolulu Festival Frieship Gala (@HonFestival)
WHEN: Saturday, March 12, 2011 from 7pm-9pm
WHERE: Hawaii Convention Center (1801 Kalakaua Ave), Kamehameha Exhibit Hall 1
WHY: Do you even need to ask? 😛
ADMISSION: $85 ($35 tax-deductible) includes access to entertainment and all meals! (Order Online or call the event hotline at 808-833-3378)

Talk to me!
* Are you planning on going to the Friendship Gala tomorrow night?
* Are you all safe and sound after that tsunami scare? I hope so!
* Got any advice for me on how to reach my parents in Japan?
* Got any loved ones in Japan yourself?

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Fave Friday – Hawaii Chefs

I know, I know, there are not many to choose from, in terms of really well-known chefs from Hawaii. Let’s see, off the top of my head, we got the big dogs like Roy Yamaguchi, Alan Wong, Sam Choy, Russell Siu, Chai Chaowasaree, Chef Mavro (George Mavrothalassitis), etc., and some of the lesser known, but equally impressive, like Hideaki “Santa” Miyoshi, Collin Nishida and Onjin Kim (anybody know what happened to her btw?).

In the comment area below, list your favorite Hawaii Chef(s) and why. Whether it be their cooking ability, ono-ness of their restaurant, their personality, or all of the above. I have a few for various reasons:

• Hideaki “Santa” Miyoshi: He’s the co-owner of Tokkuri-Tei, my all-time favorite restaurant, hands-down. He’s down to earth and has a hilarious sense of humor. Santa always makes me crack up without even saying a word.
• Chuck Furuya: Yeah, he’s not really a chef, but close enough. He runs Vino Italian Tapas & Wine Bar in Restaurant Row, and, oh by the way, is one of only two Master Sommeliers in the state of Hawaii. He’s genuine and friendly and has a knack for taking the intimidation out of wine. Back in college when I worked at KHET Hawaii Public Television, we filmed a segment with him for one of our shows. During setup, he yells to this little student grunt (me) across the room and says “Eh, I know you! I played ball with you in Hawaii Kai the other weekend! Remember me?” Stunned, I was like “Huh!?” Then I realized he was talking to me and was able to muster up this glorious response: “Me? Oh yeah!” We continued to shoot segments with him and he would always take the time to make conversation with all of us about anything and everything. Recently, I saw him with his son at Cafe Laufer and he still recognized me and shook my hand. What an awesome guy!
• Sam Choy: just seems really friendly and welcoming. Plus, he loves him some poke. My kinda guy!
• Roy Yamaguchi and Alan Wong: though insanely intimidating, these two guys seem warm hearted in person and continue to stay true to their roots, choosing to buy local whenever possible. My “claim to fame” for Roy Yamaguchi was that I gave him a ride to and from Roy’s Hawaii Kai – in my little Civic hatchback – before and after a shoot in our KHET studios (I lived in Hawaii Kai at the time and it was looked at as a better, more economical idea than sending a production van out to Hawaii Kai to pick him up). My “claim to fame” for Alan Wong was actually a few days ago when I interviewed him for Part II of my “Poke Paradise” series for AroundHawaii.com, set to be published on February 1st. 8) Here’s a little sneak peek for y’all! Let me know what you think!

An Interview with Alan Wong

Talk to me!
* Post your favorite Hawaii chefs below and why.
* Thoughts on the above interview?
* Excited about the new iPad?
* Excited about the Olympics?

Have a happy VH07V Friday and weekend y’all! See you on the flipside! 🙂