Mangoes at the Moana

When it's summertime in Hawaii, people go crazy for Mangoes.

And for the past seven years in Waikiki, locals and visitors alike have been proving their fondness for mangoes at the Mangoes at the Moana event at the Moana Surfrider, A Westin Resort & Spa.

This year's event took place this past Saturday, and I was so excited to have been invited by Starwood Hotels Hawaii (the Moana Surfrider is one of 11 properties under Starwood Hotels and Resorts in Hawaii) to attend the event and try out some of the dishes at the popular Mango Throwdown Competition.

It was my very first time at a Mangoes at the Moana event, and I was very impressed with how much there was to do there.

At the event there was a Silent Auction, a Mango Farmer's Market, Best Mango Contest, Mango Workshops, and Mango Cooking Demonstrations.

Silent Auction

Mango soap!

A few of the over 50 varities of Hawaiian mangoes!

Mango Carrot Bread

Makaha Mangoes apparel

Cooking demo

The highlight for many during the Mangoes at the Moana event was the Mango Throwdown.  Eight local celebrity chefs prepared dishes using mangoes, and guests could taste the creations by purchasing tickets at just $6 each per plate  (pre-sale purchasers could get 10 tickets for the price of 8; tickets could also be used toward cocktails).

Guests got to vote for their favorite dishes, and a panel of judges would award the Critics' Choice Award.

Mango Shrimp "Sorbeiche" by Chef James Aptakin of Mac 24/7

Mango Smoked Pork, Chili Mango Glaze, Pickled Maui Onions by Chef Darren Demaya of Kai Market

Mango Tango Salad by Chef Hiroyuki Mimura of Taormina

Chilled Kona Lobster, Green Mango & Jicama Salad, Mango Horseradish, Chicharrones by Chef Shaymus Alwin of Azure

Niihau Lamb & Mango Dumpling by Chef Lee Anne Wong of Koko Head Cafe

Adobo-Braised Pork Belly, Pickled Island Green Mango Slaw & Sweet Kim Chee Mango Relish, Kabocha Puree, Charred Brussels Sprout by Chef Ron de Guzman of Stage

Fresh Mango Icee by Chef Heather Bryan of Top of Waikiki

Baked Mango Shoyu Chicken Manapua by Chef Heather Bryan of Top of Waikiki

Mango & Kula Onion Brulee, Foie Gras Pate, Mango Agrodolce by Chef Ronnie Nasuti from Tiki's Bar & Grill

The dishes were incredible!

My favorite dish, and the one I voted for, was the Lamb Dumpling by Lee Anne Wong of Koko Head Cafe.  My other faves included the Manapua and Icee by Chef Heather Bryan of Top of Waikiki, and the Pork Belly by Chef Ron de Guzman of Stage.

The winners of the Throwdown were:

• Critics' Choice Award + 3rd Place People's Choice: Niihau Lamb & Mango Dumpling by Chef Lee Anne Wong of Koko Head Cafe
• 2nd Place People's Choice:  Chilled Kona Lobster, Green Mango & Jicama Salad, Mango Horseradish, Chicharrones by Chef Shaymus Alwin of Azure
• 1st Place People's Choice:  Mango Shrimp "Sorbeiche" by Chef James Aptakin of Mac 24/7

In addition to the yummy eats, there were also yummy drinks available.  A Mango Cocktail Mixdown showcased a variety of mango-inspired drinks, and I chose a Virgin Mango Plantation. YUM!

Virgin Mango Plantation

Mangoes at the Moana was a great event for both visitors and kama`aina, and the Mango Throwdown was a wonderful way for guests to sample culinary creations from some of Hawaii's notable chefs.

I'm already looking forward to Mangoes at the Moana 2016!

Thank you to Starwood Hawaii for hosting my Throwdown Tickets.