Hawaii Food & Wine Festival 2017 Donates $414,000 to Beneficiaries

Last night the Hawaii Food & Wine Festival presented a record $414,000 in donations to 23 beneficiaries, including a grant to a local chef to stage in one of the world's best restaurants, and donations to California wildfire relief efforts due to the devastation on its wineries.

Founder & Chief Executive Officer Denise Hayashi Yamaguchi, along with Event Chairs Alan Wong and Roy Yamaguchi, spoke of how Hawaii continues to grow as a culinary destination, and how the Hawaii Food & Wine Festival events help to promote not only Hawaii's cuisine, but also its quality, locally-grown products, culture, people, and spirit.

And in the spirit of Okage Sama De (I am what I am because of you), the Hawaii Food & Wine Festival acknowledged that it would not be able to provide all of that financial support to local culinary institutions, local farmers, and local educational programs without the help of all those involved, including the ticket buyers, the organizers, the volunteers, and the participants.

The event was held at Mariposa at Neiman Marcus, where a variety of delicious bites and sips were offered:

Roy Yamaguchi (Roy's Restaurants) - Smoked Kampachi with Ikura, Yuzu Kosho Yogurt, Puffed Rice

Roy Yamaguchi (Roy's Restaurants) - Ni`ihau Ranch Lamb Ragout with Blue Corn Polenta and Charred Miso Small Kine Farm Mushrooms

Alan Wong (Alan Wong's Honolulu) - Octopus Salad with Taro Puree, Chorizo, Green Olive Tapenade

Alan Wong (Alan Wong's Honolulu)  - Scallop with Dried Scallop Risotto and Truffle Butter

Lawrence Nakamoto (Maripoa at Neiman Marcus) - Chilled Angel Hair Pasta with Dashi Marinated Kamuela Tomatoes, Fresh Mozzarella, Shiso, Garlic, Crispy Prosciutto, Balsamic Reduction

Lawrence Nakamoto (Mariposa at Neiman Marcus) - Butter Poached Tiger Prawns with Savory Kahuku Corn Ice Cream, Ho Farms Tomatoes, Arugula, Maui Onions, Corn Flakes, Crostini

Colin Hazama (The Royal Hawaiian) - Opah Pipikaula Ribbons with Ho Farms Pickles, Yogurt Poppyseed, Fried Curry Leaf, Crispy Cassava, Fermented Chili Emulsion

Colin Hazama (The Royal Hawaiian) - Smoked Hawaii Rancher's Garlic Steak with Ali`i Mushroom Chips, Tokyo Negi Fondue, Wagyu Beef Coconut Snow, Aromatic Ginger Miso Caramel

Toki Time Cocktail

The Moana Cocktail

The Eighth Annual Hawaii Food & Wine Festival takes place October 6 - October 28, 2018, with two special launch events, Culinary Heroes Presented by The Kahala Hotel & Resort: California Dreamin’ Featuring Jeremiah Tower on May 9, and Heart & Soul – Starring Local Ingredients on May 11.

Click here for more information and to purchase tickets.

About Hawai‘i Food & Wine Festival

The Hawai‘i Food & Wine Festival is the premier epicurean destination event in the Pacific. The Festival features a roster of more than 100 internationally renowned master chefs, culinary personalities, and wine and spirit producers. Co-founded by two of Hawai‘i’s own James Beard Award-winning chefs, Roy Yamaguchi and Alan Wong, the Festival will showcase wine tastings, cooking demonstrations, one-of-a-kind excursions, and exclusive dining opportunities with dishes highlighting the state’s bounty of local produce, seafood, beef and poultry. Proceeds support local beneficiaries committed to sustainability and cultural and educational programs in Hawai‘i.