It's time to spill the beans—the wok-charred, sea-salted edamame beans, that is. This year's Hawai'i Food & Wine Festival features Kā'anapali as one of its many culinary destinations!
From October 14 to 16, Kā'anapali Beach Resort will be the site of a culinary explosion: wine tastings, cooking demonstrations, mixology sessions, delicious dining experiences—all making the most of Hawai'i's magical bounty. For three great days, renowned chefs and culinary personalities from across the U.S. will wow the crowd with their mad skills.
But watch out: Kā'anapali chefs just might steal the spotlight: Maui, Hawaii's second largest island, has a top-level culinary academy, a slew of world-class restaurants, and a year-round growing season, not to mention incredibly fresh seafood and island-raised meat. Add to all this Kā'anapali's gorgeous sunsets and plenty of homegrown aloha, and you have a culinary experience like no other.
(Courtesy of Kā'anapali Beach Resort)
Maui also happens to be the home of those pioneering chefs who led the farm-to-table movement here back in the 1980s—think Roy Yamaguchi, Peter Merriman, Bev Gannon, and Mark Ellman. By 1991, their way of blending local ingredients with the islands' ethnic flavors became officially known as Hawai'i Regional Cuisine. These days, a new crop of Maui chefs is putting its own spin on the now-classic cuisine, not just collaborating with farmers, ranchers and fishermen, but engaging guests in hands-on culinary experiences. (You might want to take a lesson in poke prep with award-winning chef Gevin Utrillo at the Hyatt's Japengo).
There is high-wattage star power on the foodie scene here. Canadian celebrity chef Vikram Vij recently made Kā'anapali his home for a series of culinary events, and popular Maui chefs have been featured on cooking shows from Top Chef to Iron Chef America. Plus, newsworthy restaurants are popping up along the beach. At Joey's Kitchen, from chef Joey Macadangdang, the bulgogi flies out the door; while at chef Paris Nabavi's Sangrita, connoisseurs come for the insane selection of fine tequila and mescal. But everyone loves a golden oldie too: Kā'anapali mainstay, Leilani's, celebrates 34 years this summer, with chef Ryan Luckey still rolling the Moloka'i sweet potato gnocchi by hand.
Sheraton Maui Resort & Spa, Ka'anapali
Your best chance to check it all out yourself—for free!—is right here online. Enter to win a trip for two to the Hawai'i Food & Wine Festival Kā'anapali, which includes airfare from the Bay Area, three nights at the Sheraton Maui Resort & Spa, and tickets to the Saturday night event, A Chef's Paradise. Deadline to enter is midnight on September 6, 2016. Tell your friends? Nah, better keep it a secret.
PRIZE DESCRIPTIONS:
Win a trip for two to Kāʻanapali Beach Resort, including roundtrip transportation for two (2) from San Francisco/San Jose/Oakland to Kahului, Maui; three (3) nights accommodations in a Junior Suite at the Sheraton Maui Resort & Spa for two persons; two (2) tickets to the Hawaii Food & Wine Festival's Ka'anapali: A Chef's Paradise event (10/15/16)
RULES/ TERMS & CONDITIONS:
- Must be 21 years of age or older to enter.
- Travel valid dates: October 13, 2016 - October 17, 2016.
- Accommodations are based on double occupancy.
- No substitutions and prize is not transferable. No portion of the prize is redeemable for cash. Advance reservations required.
PRIZE VALUE:
- 3 nights accommodations for 2 at the Sheraton Maui Resort & Spa (valued at $3,720)
- 2 tickets to the Hawaii Food & Wine Festival's Ka'anapali: A Chef's Paradise event (10/15/16) (Valued at $400)
- Roundtrip transportation for two (2) from San Francisco/San Jose/Oakland to Kahului, Maui (Valued at $1,500)
- Total Value: $5,620
