One thing that I really love about living on Kauai is the abundance of delicious, freshly grown and prepared local food. The chefs who live and work here are passionate about bringing the best ingredients to the plate and pairing them with the perfect wines and handcrafted cocktails to serve guests. Some of these great chefs and restaurants are coming together this week for a celebration of fine food and wine for a great cause—the Kauai Community College Culinary Program.
Running from November 8-12th, the 2nd Annual Poipu Food and Wine Festival kicks off on Wednesday, at the Poipu Culinary Market at The Shops at Kukui’ula. There will be a variety of offerings over the course of the festival, celebrating local chefs and local ingredients. From cooking demonstrations and cooking classes to Friday night festivities with live music and a Poipu-style Sunday brunch, if you enjoy food and wine, you are going to love this event.
The Poipu Food and Wine Festival Celebrates Local Flavors and Chefs
Wednesday, November 8th – Event Kick-off at The Shops at Kukui’ula
The Culinary Farmer’s Market will be open as usual on Wednesday beginning at 3:30 pm, but it will be a little more lively this week, if that is possible! You can expect to find the regular local farmers and artisans offering fresh local produce and prepared dishes while enjoying the ambiance of live music at The Shops at Kukui’ula. However, beginning at 5:00 pm, there will be a demonstration run by Kauai Community College Culinary Students. On the menu will be braised Makaweli beef with tequila lime grilled Kauai Shrimp on creamy polenta, which will be available for plate purchase. All proceeds will benefit the KCC Culinary Program.
The Poipu Food & Wine Festival kicks off on Wednesday at The Shops at Kukui’ula
Thursday, November 9th – In the Kitchen
Have you always wanted to know how some of our finest restaurants prepare such delicious food? Limited tickets are available to participate in hands-on cooking classes, led by some of Poipu’s best chefs in their own restaurants. You can sign up for one class or participate in all of them. They run from 10:00 am – 4:00 pm and are $50 per person, which includes a tasting and commemorative gift. Participating restaurants include The Club at Kukui’ula, the recently opened Ruth’s Chris Steak House, The Lanai, Eating House 1849, Merriman’s Fish House and Tortilla Republic. Check out the event webpage for more details and find out what each restaurant will be preparing for your tasting, including cocktails at some of the classes.
Participants in the cooking classes can learn the secrets to making Ruth Chris’s famous sweet potato casserole.
Friday, November 10th – Flavors of Poipu
Starting at 5:30 pm, you participate in the festivities at The Shops at Kukui’ula for this pau hana party featuring street food, live music and a beer and wine garden. It is FREE with food purchase, which will be prepared by local “Headliner” chefs, including Chef Marvo from Oahu, Chef Ben Takahashi of The Club at Kukui’ula, The Waimea High School Culinary Team, Eating House 1849 and Koloa Rum concoctions prepared by the winner of “Kauai’s Best Bartender.” There will be cooking demonstrations included with the evening’s entertainment. I have been to Food and Wine Festivals in other cities, and this is such a great deal!
The ambiance and atmosphere at the Shops at Kukui’ula is a great setting for a festive event.
Sunday, November 12th – Let’s Do Brunch
The culmination of the Poipu Food & Wine Festival takes place on Sunday at Poipu Golf Course, Grand Hyatt Resort and Spa with a delicious outdoor brunch. Some of Kauai’s best chefs will be collaborating to prepare the meal, which will feature specialties from Grand Hyatt’s Ilima Terrace, Keoki’s Paradise, Koa Kea Resort, Lappert’s Hawaii, Living Foods Gourmet Market, Cafe & Juice Bar, The Wine Shop and more. This brunch benefits the KCC Culinary Arts Program. Tickets are available for $75 per person, or $50 per person without alcohol. This will be one brunch you don’t want to miss!
Poipu Bay Golf Course is a spectacular setting for the culmination brunch on Sunday, November 12th.
Get Your Tickets Here
This is sure to be a great event, and supporting the next generation of chefs will ensure the legacy of great food and wine pairings on Kauai will continue. I hope to see you there!
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