It’s that wonderful time of year again when some of Hawai‘i’s best culinarians show their stuff outside of their kitchens and tasting tables. Once again, the Hawai‘i Food & Wine Festival has curated a diverse festival featuring food from a variety of cuisines, stretched over three Islands.
Hawai’i Food & Wine Festival: Hawai‘i Island
This year, for Hawai‘i Island’s arm of the festival, Indigenous chefs from around the world will join some of the chefs from Hawai‘i and the Pacific in showcasing their ingredients and techniques.
With Indigenous cuisine gaining a strong foothold in today’s culinary world, Moku o Keawe is the perfect place to gather these leaders who are revitalizing Indigenous food systems.
Kamehameha Schools Presents Indigenous World Cuisines on October 20 from 6 to 9pm with a special Indigenous Food Culture Panel on October 21 from 10am to 2pm. Both events will be held at Mauna Kea Beach Hotel.
The grand tasting event gives guests the chance to celebrate “the rich culinary heritage of indigenous communities from around the world” where 10 esteemed chefs will showcase indigenous ingredients and cooking traditions to illustrate the cuisines of their regions including Turtle Island (North America) tribes—Oglala Lakota, Kickapoo, and Puyallup, as well as nations in the Caribbean and the Pacific—Maori, Samoan, and Hawaiian.
“Our goal is to create an unforgettable experience that showcases the deep-rooted connections between food, culture and the land,” stated Denise Yamaguchi, Chief Executive Officer of the Hawai‘i Food and Wine Festival. “Through this event, we celebrate indigenous cuisines from our host culture and communities across the globe, as well as the talented chefs who bring them to life, and support the revitalization of their food systems.”
HFWF invites you to “expand your tastebuds with creative dishes that reclaim important ancestral food knowledge once lost.” The event will also feature special wines, craft cocktails, and beer. VIP tickets include an extra hour of the event with early entry at 5pm. Learn more and get tickets HERE.
“We are thrilled to host two amazing HFWF events this year that highlight Indigenous Food Cultures and Indigenous World Cuisines,” said Craig Anderson, Vice President of Operations of Mauna Kea Resort. “Both events are perfectly suited for world-travelers searching for unique and authentic culinary experiences. With HFWF’s emphasis on promoting local products, farmers, growers and chefs, this year’s events once again align with Mauna Kea Resorts long standing commitment to sourcing local produce and supporting local farmers, ranchers, fisherman and purveyors. We are honored to be the exclusive Hawai’i Island host for this year’s festival events allowing us to share these experiences with our visitors and kama‘aina.”
Culinary professionals featured at the grand tasting event include: Chefs Timon Balloo (Florida), Kealoha Domingo (Kaneohe), Monique Fiso (New Zealand), Jorge Granda (Waimea), Ravi Kapur (San Francisco), Michael Meredith (New Zealand), Dexter Mina (Washington), Sean Sherman (Minnesota), Crystal Wahpepah (California); Sommeliers Chris Ramelb, MS and Roberto Viernes, MS; and Mixologists Jen Ackrill (Hau Tree, Honolulu), Art Deakins (Kuleana Rum, Waimea), Eric Dill (Ko‘olau Distillery, Kailua), Kyle Reutner (Ko Hana Distillers, Kunia), Christian Self (Southern Glazer’s Wine & Spirits Hawaii, Honolulu), and Alicia Yamachika (Southern Glazer’s Wine & Spirits Hawaii, Honolulu).
For those unable to attend the panel in person, participants may register to tune in to a live stream of the discussion.
More Hawai‘i Food & Wine Festival Events in 2023 and 2024
If one weekend of foodie fun isn’t enough for you, the Hawai‘i Island Hawai‘i Food & Wine Fest events are just the beginning. Sadly, HFWF needed to cancel most of this year’s planned events in Maui due to the wildfires. Fortunately, they were able to add in one special event featuring Roy Yamaguchi …
Hawai‘i Food & Wine Festival: Maui
Taste Our Love for Maui: Special Edition of HFWF – Humble Market Kitchin by Roy Yamaguchi at Wailea Beach Resort
Postponed to Spring 2024: First Hawaiian Bank Presents 26th Annual Roy Yamaguchi Classic, Ocean’s 13, Livin’ la Vita Vino
Learn more and get tickets HERE.
Hawai‘i Food & Wine Festival: O‘ahu
October 29: HMAA Presents Keiki in the Kitchen – Bishop Museum
October 29: Kids Foodie Fest – Bishop Museum – SOLD OUT
November 2: Far East Street Ph’east – Alohilani Resort
November 3: Hawaiian Airlines Presents Crush’d – Hawai‘i Convention Center
November 4: Rivers-Marie: Pinot Noir Perspective – Halekulani
November 4: Bernard Magrez: The Winning Quartet – Halekulani
November 4: Grower Champagne, the Special Club – Halekulani
November 5: Fit Brunch with Egan’s Bootcamp – Outrigger Reef Waikiki Beach Resort
November 5: Lucky 13: Dim Sum and then Some – Hyatt Regency Waikiki – SOLD OUT
November 5: The Art of Food & Wine – Halekulani
Learn more and get tickets HERE.
About Hawai’i Food & Wine Festival
The Hawai‘i Food & Wine Festival® is the premier epicurean destination event in the Pacific. The three weekend Festival features a roster of more than 150 internationally renowned master chefs, culinary personalities, sommeliers, mixologists, and wine and spirit producers across three islands—making it the largest food and wine festival in the state of Hawai‘i. Co-founded by two of Hawai‘i’s own James Beard Award-winning chefs—Roy Yamaguchi and Alan Wong—the Festival was founded to put a spotlight on Hawai‘i as a culinary destination during the visitor industry’s shoulder season and showcase the state’s diverse agriculture by requiring all participating chefs to highlight locally grown, raised or caught ingredients in their dishes. In addition to showcasing local chef talent, the festival has become a platform to highlight local artists and artisans, makers, musicians, performing and visual artists to rebuild vital industries in
Hawai‘i. Since the beginning, proceeds from the festival have supported local ‘āina-based and community organizations committed to culinary and agricultural education, sustainability and cultural programs. In 2022 HFWF raised $380,000 to support 17 beneficiaries, bringing total giving since 2011 to $3.5 million.
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