Last year I attended my first Mangoes at the Moana event at the Moana Surfrider, A Westin Resort & Spa, and I had such a great time! My favorite part of the event was the Mango Throwdown, where I was blown away by the culinary mango creations!
The next event is coming up on July 16! Read below for details!
Mangoes make their sweet return to the Moana Surfrider, A Westin Resort & Spa, on Saturday, July 16 for the 8th Annual Mangoes at the Moana in the hotel’s Banyan Courtyard from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Highlighting the celebration of Hawaii’s favorite summer fruit is also an all-star cast of chefs and restaurateurs who’ll go head-to-head in the Mango Throw Down – the ultra-popular showdown between top island chefs. Here is the schedule of activities for the 8th Annual Mangoes at the Moana:
Best Mango Contest, 9 a.m.
Mango lovers and growers are welcome to submit two homegrown backyard mangoes for a chance to win “Best Mango of the Year.” A panel of judges will be determining which mango will have the best flavor, skin, flesh, and aroma texture. The grand prize is a two-night stay in an ocean front room at the Moana Surfrider, A Westin Resort & Spa. Registration for the contest is for an hour only, and begins at 8 a.m.
Mango Farmer’s Market, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., Lobby
Hawaii’s mango farmers share a taste of the varieties of mangoes that are grown on their farms in this “talk story session” with the farmers, who’ll share an in-depth view of how they raise their trees to produce a world-class product and an opportunity to purchase fresh ripe mangoes.
Silent Auction, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., Lobby
An important purpose of the event is to educate the public about mangoes, and in doing so, help further the education of young people enrolled in the culinary arts program at Kapiolani Community College. Beginning at 11 a.m. that day, there’ll be a silent auction from which proceeds will benefit the Culinary Institute of the Pacific at Kapiolani Community College.
Mango Cooking Demonstrations, Noon, Vintage 1901
Guests can also learn how to make several mango-inspired dishes at cooking demonstrations by David Lukela, chef de cuisine of the beachhouse at the moana, as well as Nanako Perez-Nava, executive pastry chef.
Lukela, who was recently promoted to chef de cuisine after holding the position of sous chef since 2014, will start off the demonstrations of mango-inspired dishes at noon. Lukela oversees a staff of 20 at the oceanfront beachhouse at the moana, offering top-quality steaks, the finest seafood, and other island-inspired dishes using the freshest ingredients.
Perez-Nava will follow at 1:30 p.m. with a variety of mango desserts. She brings more than a decade of experience in the fine art of Japanese and French pastry making to the Moana Surfrider, A Westin Resort & Spa. Since her arrival to the hotel in December 2013, Perez-Nava has created new and innovative afternoon tea desserts for the Moana Surfrider’s traditional Afternoon Tea.
Mango Throw Down, 11 a.m. – 2 p.m.
This annual friendly cooking competition will feature 8 local celebrity chefs preparing creative dishes featuring mango as the main ingredient. Admission is free and guests are welcome to taste each chef’s creation for $6 per plate. There will be a ticket pre-sale for those who are interested in purchasing prior to the event. The pre-sale will give guests 10 tickets for the price of eight. The two extra tickets can be used towards the purchase of cocktails at the Southern Wine & Spirits booth. For pre-sale tickets can be bought at Honolulu Box Office through July 15. Tickets for the Throw Down and cocktails will also be available in the lobby on the day of the event.
The chefs participating in this year’s Throw Down are:
- James Aptakin, MAC 24/7
- Chris Kajioka - Senia
- Ed Kenney/Maggie King - Town
- Ronnie Nasuti, Tiki’s Bar & Grill
- Mark Noguchi/Chuck Wakeman – Pili Group/Mission House
- Andy Reagan – Morimoto Waikiki
- Michelle Karr-Ueoka – MW Restaurant
- Lee Anne Wong – Koko Head Café
Mango Cocktail Mixdown, noon to 2 p.m., Lower Veranda
Sponsored by Southern Wine & Spirits, the “Mango Cocktail Mixdown” features impromptu mixology sessions that will allow guests to purchase cocktails at the booth as well as participate and learn of the featured cocktails at the event. The mixologists will be using Cruzan Rum, Sauza Tequila, and Jim Beam Bourbon in their mango inspired libations. Guests can use their tickets from the Mango Throw Down for the Cocktail Mixdown.
Mango 101: Introduction of Mangoes, 1 p.m., Grand Salon
Mangoes for the Seasoned: “How to Make My Mango Tree Productive”
Guests are invited to learn about different varieties of mango grown in Hawaii and each mango’s unique texture and aroma. Experts will share best practices in growing a healthy fruit-bearing mango tree, pruning techniques, production, how to maintain a tree, prevention disease, and other relevant information on the care of mango growing.
Culinary offerings through the month of July
Those who aren’t able to make Mangoes at the Moana on July 16 are invited to indulge all month long on a variety of mango offerings at the Moana Surfrider. From July 1 through 31, the veranda and the beachhouse at the moana will offer mango-inspired dishes, as well as mango curd and mango macarons during the Moana’s renowned Afternoon Tea. During the evening at the beachhouse at the moana, diners can order mango kaffir lime panna cotta or have a taste of mango salt during bread service. At the Surfrider Café near the pool, specials will be featured each day in July beginning at 11 a.m.
For information about the “Mangoes at the Moana” festivities, please call the Moana Surfrider at 808-922-3111 and ask for the concierge desk. For dining reservations or information, please call the Starwood Waikiki dining desk at 808-921-4600.
Self-parking is available at the Sheraton Princess Kaiulani and is complimentary for four hours with validation. Validation given at the Mangoes at the Moana event with ticket purchase.
No comments:
Post a Comment