
Chef/restaurateur Russell Siu introduces 18 new items for dinner and dessert, including an appetizer of pan-seared hamachi with green papaya namasu and shichimi-soy vinaigrette. Call 737-1177.
Siu also autographs his new "On the Rise" cookbook and offers gourmet samples 3 p.m. Saturday at Borders Ward Centre. The signing/sampling is free. Call 591-8995 for details.
New lease for obese: People at least 50 pounds overweight can learn about a weight management program of drug therapy, healthful diet and exercise. Registered dietitian Susan Fierro leads a noon to 1:30 p.m. seminar tomorrow, Honolulu Medical Group's third-floor physicians' lounge; free. Reserve at 537-2211.
For devo-teas: The first 15 people who reserve can attend an English Tea Party, learn about and sample teas and cakes, 10 a.m. Saturday, Kalihi Palama Public Library. Call 832-3466.
One-stop sampling: Graze through delectables from 29 of Hawaii's top eateries at the Hale 'Aina restaurant awards program, 6 p.m. Monday, Hilton Hawaiian Village Coral Ballroom; $75. Former "Tonight Show" trumpeter Doc Severinsen conducts the Honolulu Symphony and proceeds benefit the symphony. Formal wear suggested. Call 524-0815, ext. 27.
Season opener: Restaurant magnate Roy Yamaguchi starts his third season of "Hawaii Cooks with Roy Yamaguchi" at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday on KHET. Waimea food consultant Faith Ogawa is guest chef on the first segment.
The rest of Yamaguchi's 13-part TV series airs at the same time Tuesdays and features Molokai tropical oils, Lanai game and, in the finale, James Beard Foundation 1996 outstanding chef Jeremiah Tower.
A 26-recipe accompanying cookbooklet is available by sending a $5 check made to: Hawaii Cooks, c/o Hawaii Public Television, 2350 Dole St., Honolulu 96822. Call 973-1190 for information.
Young lions, lionesses: Kahala Mandarin Oriental Hotel's Julie Wong is among the chefs featured in a new "Le Jeune (the young) Chef Hawaii '97" series at Lyon Arboretum. Cooking demonstration/samplings start Feb. 1 and cost $22 each, or $18 for Arboretum members. Call 988-7378 to receive a flyer on other classes and tours, starting Jan. 25.
Holoholo to Halawa: Learn to differentiate aku, mahimahi and other fish by taste and texture at a vertical fish tasting, 10 a.m. to noon Jan. 25, JMD Educational Center in Halawa; $38. The demonstration/tasting kicks off the spring University of Hawaii food and wine classes, ranging from sushi to Greek cuisine. Call 956-8244 for information and 956-8400 to sign up.
Vegetarian, of course: A three-week series to develop more healthful school lunches, "Healthy Food Prep Training and Education for Schools," begins with a parent nutrition workshop 6:30 to 9 p.m. Tuesday at Kapunahala Elementary School cafetorium. Call 233-5655. Also, reserve by Tuesday for a cooking demo and conference 7:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Jan. 24, at Nanakuli High School. Free, but lunch is $10. Call 421-4105.